Cook Islands rugby league coach Alex Chan says they won't be taking anything for granted going into today's one-off match against Niue in Sydney.
It's the first time the Kukis' senior team has played a match since the 2013 World Cup, and today's game is being used as a hit-out for their 2017 World Cup qualifier against Tonga in two weeks time.
Niue have made big strides in recent years and are now ranked 32nd in the world, fifteen places below Cook Islands.
Kukis' coach Alex Chan won't have his NRL players on-hand today and says it will be a good test.
"You can't count anyone down and out because with the vast array of different nationality groups in the NRL these days and lower grades the players are popping up and players that you thought were Australian descent or you thought that they were Australian because they were born there they're actually coming out and saying my heritage is Niuean, my heritage is Cook Islands. It's exciting for all involved and I think it's a great reflection of how the game is going forward and really developing in all nations."
Photo: Photosport
