Photo: SWPix
The Cook Islands have won their opening game in the Rugby League World Cup, narrowly defeating Wales 18-12.
Wales initially looked to be in control of the game, leading 12 - 8 at the break, before the Cook Islands rallied with a two try comeback in the second half.
"We weren't good enough in the first half but we got the win" said relieved Cook Islands winger Steven Marsters, who was awarded Player of the Match.
A Marsters of finishing...
— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) October 19, 2022
Steven Marsters can't be stopped and extends Cook Islands' lead further – will that be enough to claim the win?#RLWC2021 | #WALCKI | @BBCSport pic.twitter.com/VScYm5sjnd
"They were getting through us, and it took us time to figure out how to combat that. We knew they were going to come out hard. We did a bit of homework on them so we knew they were good," he added.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs star winger is one of many NRL stars to play for the Cook Islands.
The Cook Islands defence struggled to contain the Welsh throughout the first half, with Welsh second row Rhodri Lloyd scoring the first try only 13 minutes into the game. Cook Islands prop Tepai Moeroa was denied a try five minutes later after he crashed through two defenders over the Welsh try line, but failed to ground the ball.
In the 21st minute, a line break saw Cook Islands centre Anthony Gelling race almost 20 metres to level the score at 6 all. The Welsh responded a few minutes later with their scrumhalf Ollie Olds side-stepping his way to Cook Islands try line to give Wales a 12 - 6 lead. Steven Marsters converted a penalty just before halftime to close the gap 12 - 8 at the break.
Wales v Cook Islands #RLWC2021 #GETTYSPORT pic.twitter.com/0o9JRzjvdd
— NRL (@NRL) October 19, 2022
The second half was dominated by the Cook Islands with Steven Marsters and Davvy Moale scoring two tries in rapid succession to give their team an 18 - 12 lead. Wales intensified its game with a late rally but failed to break the Cook Islands defence.
Cook Islands head coach Tony Iro said it was a hard-earned win.
"They're hard to get, World Cup wins.
Wales gave us exactly what we knew was going to be a really tough game. I'm really proud of our boys, especially in the second half. To get this win on the board is really good for our confidence.
"We didn't get a lot in that first half but I thought if we just stuck to guns and stayed disciplined, we'd get the job done," he said.
The win is exactly what the Cook Islands need as it faces rugby league giant Papua New Guinea and Tonga.
"It was a tough game and it will only get tougher. Papua New Guinea's next on the list...they're a really physical side," Iro said.
"We're going to have to improve. The two sides we have left in our pool are really good footy teams."
The Cook Islands play Papua New Guinea at Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington, on 26 October at 7.30pm local time.
