Willison, Teague among emerging NRL talent in Cook Islands squad

Powerful Broncos forward Xavier Willison and promising Dolphins utility Mason Teague are among the emerging NRL talent in the Cook Islands squad in the Pacific Championships.

The 22-year-old Willison and Teague, 21, join Aitu stalwarts Brad Takairangi, Zane Tetevano, Esan Marsters and Reubenn Rennie in the Karmichael Hunt-coached side.

Willison is considered one of the most exciting middle forwards in the game, playing 19 matches for the Broncos this season as well as representing Māori All Stars in the annual clash with Indigenous All Stars.

He made his international debut for Cook Islands at the World Cup in 2022 but missed last year's Pacific Championships due to injury.

Teague can play in the halves or at hooker and was recruited from Penrith to join the Dolphins last year. 

Rabbitohs prop Davvy Moale, Wests Tigers backrower Reuben Porter, Eels front-rower Makahesi Makatoa and Storm forward Tepai Moeroa are other NRL players in the squad to face Fiji in Suva on October 26 and PNG in Port Moresby on November 2.

The squad also includes two members of the Norths Devils team which beat Newtown in the NRL National Championship final on grand final day - Pride Petterson-Robati and Justin Makirere.

Jets prop Rhys Dakin will play alongside the pair for the Cook Islands, while North Sydney hooker Rua Ngatikaura has also been selected from NSW Cup.

Cooks Islands Aitu squad

• Rixson Andrew (Souths Logan Magpies)
• Rhys Dakin (Newtown Jets)
• Esom Ioka (Western Clydesdales) 
• Makahesi Makatoa (Parramatta Eels)
• Justin Makirere (Norths Devils)
• Esan Marsters (Huddersfield Giants) 
• Steven Marsters (Thirroul Butchers)
• Davvy Moale (South Sydney Rabbitohs) 
• Tepai Moeroa (Melbourne Storm) 
• Malachi Morgan (Tweed Heads Seagulls) 
• Rua Ngatikaura (North Sydney Bears) 
• Pride Petterson-Robati (Norths Devils) 
• Reuben Porter (Wests Tigers) 
• Reubenn Rennie (Toulouse Olympique) 
• Brad Takairangi (South-West Goannas) 
• Kobe Tararo (Souths Logan Magpies)  
• Mason Teague (Dolphins)
• Junior Teroi (Wests Brisbane Panthers)
• Zane Tetevano (Wyong Roos)
• Delahia Wigmore (Canberra Raiders) 
• Xavier Willison (Brisbane Broncos)