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Cook Islands Rugby League Association officials (from left) cultural attach Te Ina Tapurau, team manager Kevin Iro and CIRLA president Charles Carlson received a special send off for the league World Cup from Prime Minister Henry Puna yesterday.

Puna passed on his best wishes to the team who will assemble in Australia for a farewell function this weekend before flying out to England for final preparation ahead of the highly anticipated league World Cup.

Government has contributed $60,000 for the team’s World Cup campaign.

“Our goal is to win the tournament,” said Carlson, “but realistically, we want to win our pool and progress to the quarter final.”

The Cook Islands league team will play a warm up game against the Kiwis on October 20 before their first league World Cup game against the USA Tomahawks on October 30 at Memorial Stadium in Bristol.

The Cooks team is coached by former Parramatta Eels assistant coach David Fairleigh, who led the team through the qualification tournament in 2009 for the World Cup.

He will be supported by assistant coach Henry Turua of New Zealand, Kevin Iro as team manager, Charlie Hoff as assistant team manager, Nathan Ford and former national league captain Tere Glassie as trainers, Antony Bosley as liaison officer, Luke Portese of the West Tigers as strength and conditioning coach, West Tigers physiotherapist Michael Tudehope, Ina Tapurau as cultural ambassador and Cook Islands Rugby League Association president Charles Carlson.

The Cook Islands national rugby squad includes – Tinirau Arona (middle) Roosters (NRL), Sam Brunton (hooker) Mounties (NSW), Geoff Daniela (outside back) Panthers (NRL), Daniel Fepuleai (hooker) Bears (NSW), Jonathon Ford (halves) Toulouse (France), Anthony Gelling (centre) Wigan (England), Isaac John (halves) Panthers (NRL), Drury Low (fullback, outside back) Bulldogs (NRL), Keith Lulia (outside back) Bradford (England), Joey Matapuku (front row) North Sydney Bears (NSW), Hikule’o Malu (halves, hooker) Warriors (NRL), Sam Mataora (middle) Raiders (NRL), Dylan Napa (middle) Roosters (NRL), Dominique Peyroux (outside back) Warriors (NRL), Jordan Rapana (wing, centre) Raiders (NRL), Tupou Sopoaga (centre) Sharks (NRL), John Zebelon Taia (middle) Catalans (France), Brad Takairangi (centre, 5/8) Titans (NRL), Adam Tangata (middle) Raiders (NSW), Chris Taripo (outside back) Newtown (NSW), Zane Tetavano (middle)Knights (NRL), Tyrone Viiga (Middle) Eels (NSW), Lulia Lulia (outside back) Shell Harbour (NSW).

The 2013 World Cup opens on Saturday, October 26, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, when Wales take on Italy and co-hosts England play Australia.