The Cook Islands fought hard at the Rugby League World Cup against Pacific dynamo on the rise, Papua New Guinea, eventually falling short 32-16.
Papua New Guinea is often given the sole credit for 'nationalising' the sport of rugby league, but the tiny South Pacific gems which make up the Cook Islands also go against the tide of other Pasifika nations.
They rank rugby league above the other great love of the Pacific, rugby union, despite their close relationship with union behemoths New Zealand.
