Karmichael Hunt’s journey with Cook Islands Rugby League

Despite lagging behind in attracting top players, Cook Islands Rugby League has remained steadfast in its vision and goals.

Head Coach Karmichael Hunt is at the helm of the Aitu as they secure their place in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in Australia.

In an interview on Pacific Huddle, Hunt acknowledges that the delay in top players committing to the team has not affected performance outcomes.

“Unfortunately, we’ve probably been a little bit late to the party with our top-end players pledging their allegiance to come and represent us. But thankfully, over the last couple of years, we’re slowly getting our best players back.”

Having claimed the 10th and final World Cup berth, the Aitu are set to welcome NRL heavyweights who have committed to representing the Cook Islands.

The trend of players choosing to represent their heritage over tier-one nations continues to grow across the Pacific.

Cook Islands Aitu in round one of the Pacific Championships Rugby League competition. Photo/NRL

After Payne Haas pledged his allegiance to Sāmoa in August, the Cook Islands have some exciting names ready to join. Among those embracing their roots is 21-test Kangaroo and Queensland Maroons State of Origin champion Valentine Holmes.

“Valentine Holmes is obviously committed to representing his culture, his mum's culture and us, which is fantastic,” Hunt says. “So when he’s injury-free next year, he’ll be involved in that World Cup.

“It’s been a slow process, but I guess the belief for us as a whole, as a team, has been building over the last couple of years.”

Karmichael Hunt playing for the Wallabies in 2017. Photo/SMPIMAGES.COM

Hunt brings a wealth of experience, having been the first person to represent Australia at the highest levels in Rugby Union, League, and Aussie Rules.

After retiring from playing in 2021, it wasn’t long before he traded in his boots for a clipboard when he received a tempting phone call he couldn’t refuse.

“It was something I couldn’t refuse to be honest, being of half Cook Island descent on my grandmother's side and having a close tie to obviously going back to the Cook Islands as a youngster.

“When Tony Iro* made the call to sort of propose the idea of me taking over as head coach of the Aitu, I couldn’t say no so it’s been a fantastic journey so far.

While teams prepared for their campaigns in various ways, Hunt noted the importance of the Tongan team returning to their homeland prior to the Pacific Championships.

“It was a different team that got off the plane in Sydney to the one that arrived in Raro. Being hosted by our family, being hosted by family members that we didn’t know, being hosted by our villagers, hearing about our ancestors and the battles they fought.

“Then firstly just being welcomed with open arms, because a lot of us play our trade abroad in New Zealand and Australia… so to be able to go home and to be loved and to say that they were behind us 100 per cent... we had no doubt in our mind who we were playing for.”

Hunt praises the major contributions of Pacific Island nations in elevating the sport on the international stage.

“I think Rugby League should be blessed with the support that the Pacific Islands have thrown behind their teams. I think it’s added a whole other dimension to Rugby League in itself.

“Obviously, there has been talk of Rugby dominating international footy, which is rightfully so because it’s quite global, but when you see the impact that Sāmoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Fiji and PNG are providing the international Rugby League, there’s no reason why we couldn’t continue to expand the international game.”

*Tony Iro, former Cook Islands Head Coach

Listen to Karmichael Hunt's full interview below.