Maybe we do, but if they can't or don't qualify, tough.

The Cook Islands are self governing and recognised by the UN, so, while they might not be acceptable as an answer on Pointless, describing them as not a "nation" is a bit unnecessary.

1. Drury Low
2. Lulia Lulia
3. Antony Gelling
4. Keith Lulia
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Brad Takairangi
7. Isaac John
8. Zane Tetevano
9. Daniel Fepuleai
10. Dylan Napa
11. Domnique Peyroux
12. Zeb Taia (C)
13. Tinirau Arona

14. Sam Brunton
15. Tupou Sopoaga
16. Adam Tangata
17. Sam Mataora
18. Joey Matapuku
19. Jonothan Ford


Pity Jono Ford isn't getting a run by the look of that. Jono cracks me up.

Yeah, having to qualify for the WC is so unfair. boo hoo.

So much buzz about them can't wait to watch them vs tonga next Tuesday.

Don't be so bloody stupid.

As a sport, we have far too many small and poor nations at the top level, and far too few wealthy nations who can add to our sport in real ways.

The qualification process for this cup was chaotic. The Cooks got through because they came second in a comp 4 years ago, and because there wasn't much money for qualifiers, it was decided to put them in on that form.

90% of the money for our sport comes from Australia and England because countries like PNG, Cook Islands, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji etc haven't got 2c to rub together. We really need Russia, USA, Japan, Italy and Spain - countries like that have money to spend if we can sell them our product.

If you are going to pretty much hand out qualification, i'd give it to Canada or South Africa for the next cup - not the smallest and poorest country we can find.

You are aware that this statement Debunks this one Right?

Not really sure what to expect from the Cook Islands tonight. I saw them play their warm up game against a NZ side missing some key players and they were poor. They could have played another 80 minutes and they still wouldn't have registered a point.
Still, I hope Keith has a good game. Ex-Bulls legend!

USA? France? New Zealand?

Inviting 'rich' countries like Russia in who will only get beaten by 100+ points in every game would be a big mistake and only do damage.

Having Italy in this tournament is a risk in my eyes, there's almost no grass routes there and doesn't help the credibility of our sport.

Does jean capdouze have some form of racial motive for such disgraceful views on Cook Islands ?

Italy are a perfect example of how to do it right.
Three or four years ago they didn't have a comp. They started a comp just because having a domestic comp was a requirement to enter the World Cup. They found a few bucks because they are a country that has money, and suddenly they have gone past countries like Serbia and Lebanon who have been playing the game for over a decade.

They've only gone past those countries by packing their international side with heritage players. There's no credibility in that and just damages the hopes of the countries like Lebanon and Serbia with genuine domestic interest.

think cook islands will have too much for USA tonight.. the cooks by 14+

Wow, I must have dreamt all the matches I've seen down at the Swamp in the Spring! There is a very vibrant and longstanding league run on Rarotonga, which has being going a lot longer than any league in places like the Lebanon, Russia etc.

At the end of the day, the Kukis qualified as per the existing rules. It is up to the RLIF to set the qualifications for the World Cup and the ramblings of some internet wannbee aren't going to change their minds!

BTW, the Cook Islands are a country in their own right. The islands are self-governing in "free association" with New Zealand. New Zealand retains primary responsibility for external affairs, with consultation with the Cook Islands government. Cook Islands nationals are citizens of New Zealand and can receive New Zealand government services, but the reverse is not true; New Zealand citizens are not Cook Islands nationals. Despite this, as of 2011, the Cook Islands had diplomatic relations in its own name with 34 other countries. The Cook Islands is not a United Nations member state, but, along with Niue, has had their "full treaty-making capacity" recognised by United Nations Secretariat and is a full member of the WHO and UNESCO UN specialized agencies and is an associate member of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).

Jean I'm sure asda sell burn cream for that