Australia v Cook Islands live streams: How to watch Men’s Rugby League World Cup Pool A match for free

The co-hosts look to secure top spot in Pool A against the Rugby League World Cup minnows

Watch Australia v Cook Islands as the Rugby League World Cup co-hosts and favourites try to make it three wins from three in Pool A.

– Date: Saturday 31 October, 2026

– Kick-off time: 9.05am GMT / 8.05pm AEDT / 10.05pm NZDT / 5.05am EDT / 2.05am PDT

– Free stream: 7 Plus (Australia)

– Other live streams: Premier Sports (UK, Ireland, US), Sky Sport (New Zealand)

– Watch from anywhere: Try NordVPN 100% risk-free

The result of this match will have little impact on the composition of the semi-finals. The Kangaroos have already qualified for the knockout stages and have secured top of Pool A courtesy of their wins against both New Zealand and Fiji.

With progression guaranteed, Kangaroos boss Kevin Walters is taking the opportunity to experiment, most notably with his pivotal five-eighth/halfback partnership. Cameron Munster and Tom Dearden will be the third pairing he’s deployed in the pool stages.

Read on to find out everything you need to know to watch Australia v Cook Islands online, on TV and from anywhere – including an option to watch for free in Australia. Scroll down to the end of the article for the team line-ups.

Rugby league fans down under can watch Kangaroos v Cook Islands – along with every other match of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup – for free on Seven and its 7plus streaming service. You just need to create a free account with your email address to get started.

The good news for Aussies travelling overseas right now is that you can still access your usual free 7plus service by using a VPN to avoid geo-blocking restrictions that might otherwise get in the way. Find out more below.

Away from home? Fear not. A VPN bypasses geo-blocking by changing your IP address, allowing you to stream matches as if you were sitting in your own front room. The tech experts at TechRadar and Tom’s Guide rate NordVPN as world number one, thanks to its low price and unrivalled ability to unblock streaming services.

1. Reece Walsh 2. Jack Bostock 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Bradman Best 5. Tom Trbojevic 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tom Dearden

8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Jacob Preston 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo (captain)

Interchange: 14. Ethan Strange 15. Keaon Koloamatangi 17. Reuben Cotter 18. Lindsay Smith 19. James Tedesco 22. David Fifita

1. Valentine Holmes 2. Cameron Brown 3. KL Iro (captain) 4. Reubenn Rennie 5. Esan Marsters 6. Maui Winitana-Patelesio 7. Brad Takairangi

8. Davvy Moale 9. Rua Ngatikaura 10. Rhys Dakin 11. Chaev Kolone 12. Delahia Wigmore 13. Mason Teague

Interchange: 14. David Tuariki 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Pride Petterson-Robati 17. Amare Milford 18. K-Cl Newton-Whare 19. Glassie Glassie

Referee: Ashley Klein Touch judges: Michael Wise, Nick Pelgrave Senior review official: Chris Butler

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