Wales and the Cook Islands have an unimpressive recent World Cup history between them so will be desperate to kick off their 2022 campaign with a win in Leigh.
Best Bet
Wales are the worst team at the World Cup to my eye and should be outsiders to Jamaica if they played so laying only 18.5 points seems a strong bet.
This Welsh team has only two players signed to Super League teams and they are a long way from starting for those teams. Most of the side is made up of players from bad Championship teams or tier three teams or from the Welsh local league.
Wales have not won a World Cup game since 2000 and that has included a home loss to the USA and losses of 44 to PNG, 66 to Fiji and 28 to Ireland at the last tournament.
This Cook Islands team has no star power but there is some young talent in Kaylal Iro and Brendan Piakura as well as some NRL-quality players including Esan Masters, Makahesi Makatoa and Tepai Moeria as well as former NRL players Zane Tetevano and Brad Takairangi, among others.
The Kukis should have too much class and too much athleticism for a very poor Wales team.
Same Game Multi
Paul Ulberg has been in great tryscoring form with tries in eight of his last nine games with London.
Kayal Iro comes off winning the NSW Cup Player of the Year where he led the league in Post Contact Metres and finished second in Tackle Breaks on his way to 14 tries.
Value Bet
Brendan Piakura is a rising star in the Broncos system. He managed just two NRL games this year but found the tryline six times in 13 appearances for the Norths Devils. He is huge odds to barge over against a lacklustre Wales team.
