Rugby League World Cup: Wales 12-18 Cook Islands

The Cook Islands overcame a half-time deficit to beat Wales in the Rugby League World Cup.

The first half ended with Wales leading 12-8 after Rhodri Lloyd seized on JoshRalph's grubber.

The Cook Islands scored either side of Anthony Gelling's try.

Davvy Moale bulldozed his way through the Wales defence to level before Marsters sealed it.

Wales are winless at the World Cup since the 2000 tournament, with daunting Group D encounters against Australia and New Zealand coming up.

With their fate in their own hands, the Cook Islands are trying to escape the group stage for the first time in their history.

Wales part-time but fully committed

There was only one full-time player in Wales' matchday squad, and that was the man who holds the nation's record for most caps.

Cook Islands had a number of players who ply their trade in the National Rugby League down under and in the Super League.

There is plenty of experience in John Kear's Wales squad and they proved that by taking the lead.

Mike Butt had already been stopped just short of the line on the right wing but Wales kept up the pressure before Lloyd stabbed through a grubber that Matt Fozard converted.

Fierce Welsh defence and a long look from the video referee ruled that the Cook Islands player had lost control of the ball as he tried to score.

Steve Marsters was able to convert when Esan Marsters sent Gelling under the post.

When Wales came back, it was Olds who struck with a dummy that wrong-footed the Cook Islands defence and then went over for the Dragons' second try.

As the first half ended, Fozard added the goal that gave Wales a 12/6 lead.

The Cook Islands continued to pressure through their big forwards, although Paul Ulberg just failed to get his fingertips to a wide if slightly careless pass from Johnathon Ford on the left touchline.

The video referee was called upon again when Rua Ngatikaura went over, but great defensive work from Wales interchange Ben Evans and full-backCaleb Aekins ensured he was held up.

Steve Marsters kicked a late penalty kick to reduce the deficit.

The Cook Islands came out with gusto in the second half.

The white, green and gold wave washed up against Wales' try line with each set of five, but Kear's men held their ground at the final whistle.

There was a soft no-try that was backed up by the replays and Wales survived again.

As the game wore on, Cook Islands' size and strength began to tell on the previously solid Dragons defence, as Moale shoved his way through a group of red shirts to the line for a try which Steve Marsters converted.

Steve Marsters outjumped Williams in the corner to go into touch, but he was short with the conversion attempt.

The Cook Islands were called for a penalty when Rua Ngatikaura crashed over.

A brilliant charge-down and gather by Lloyd gave Wales a late chance of a try, but a forced pass hit a Cook Islands defender and the final hooter sounded.

Wales head coach John Kear made a statement.

"I think we've earned the respect of a lot of people and I think that's the best Wales rugby league performance for a long, long time and I'm immensely proud of the players."

"We're one of the lower ranked teams within the group, we have a lot of part-time players, but I think they've shown that being part-time isn't just about ability, sometimes it's about life circumstance."

"I think that anyone that watched that will come away with full value for money and with a lot of admiration for the guys who wore red."

Aekins, Butt, W Evans, Kear, R Williams, Olds, Walker, Fozard, Fleming, Lloyd, Antrobus, Burke.

B Evans, Curtis Davies, andConnor Davies were added to the roster.

The Cook Islands have Iro, S Marsters, Gelling, Rennie, Ulberg, E Marsters (capt) and Ford.

Moale, Takairanga, and Makatoa were added to the roster.

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