Rugby league fans preparing for the upcoming World Cup match between New Zealand and the Cook Islands have several options to catch the action live from Christchurch. Both teams enter Sunday's crucial Pool A fixture looking to bounce back from opening-round defeats, making a victory essential for any hopes of advancing to the knockout stage. The match is scheduled to kick off locally at 6:05 PM in New Zealand, translating to 5:05 AM GMT and 1:05 AM ET.
New Zealand enters the contest following a narrow 24-22 loss to Australia in the tournament curtain-raiser. Despite a standout performance from Kalyn Ponga, who scored two tries, the Kiwis will be forced to adjust their lineup after Ponga suffered a broken arm during the match. Coach Stacey Jones will rely on players like Casey McLean, Jamayne Isaako, Ronaldo Mulitalo, and replacement fullback Keano Kini to drive the team's attack against the Cook Islands on home soil.
The Cook Islands also dropped their opening fixture after conceding an early lead to Fiji. Despite historically facing an uphill battle against top-tier opponents, players like KL Iro and debutant Valentine Holmes aim to secure a historic victory. With the Kangaroos waiting in the wings for upcoming matches, both squads face high stakes heading into Sunday's game.
Viewers looking to watch the match for free can tune in via ThreeNow in New Zealand or 7plus in Australia, both of which are broadcasting the tournament games online. International fans traveling abroad can also utilize virtual private network services like Norton VPN to access their home country streaming platforms. Additional paid viewing options are available globally through networks such as Premier Sports in the US, Canada, and the UK, alongside Sky Sport in New Zealand.
How to Watch New Zealand vs Cook Islands Free Rugby League World Cup Stream
Comments