Watch Australia v Cook Islands on Channel 7plus and ABC Sport, with commentary from Andrew Voss

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup returns on 31 October 2026 with the Australia v Cook Islands matchup, and the broadcast team has been assembled to make it one of the most-watched matches of the season. Two primary channels are carrying the action: 7plus / Channel 7 Australia, fronted by presenter Matt Shirvington, and ABC Sport. For those following the global feed, the world broadcast is running on the same core team as Channel 7 Australia.The Channel 7plus lineup is anchored by main commentator Andrew Voss, with co-commentators Luke Keary and Ryan Papenhuyzen. Reporting duties are handled by Jelisa Apps and Brent Tate. Matt Shirvington heads the overall broadcast team, having been unveiled alongside other star names ahead of the October–November window.

The ABC Sport channel runs a separate roster, with Andrew Moore as main commentator, Jada Taylor as co-commentator, and Laurie Spina reporting. This gives viewers two distinct commentary feeds for the same match, each with its own presenters and structure.

Who is commenting and why the team matters

The headline name on Channel 7plus is Andrew Voss, whose role has drawn much attention ahead of this season. According to the team announcement published on 2 September 2026, the leading commentator from Fox League will serve in the broadcast, with Matt Shirvington, along with other recognised names, completing the roster.

From a career perspective, Andrew Voss is a well-established figure in the rugby league commentary space. Born on 7 September 1966, he is an Australian commentator and radio and television personality who works for Fox League. His online presence reflects that broader career: he is active on social media and has been associated with a fan-focused morning show, as well as being a commentator for the sport.

Working alongside him is co-commentator Luke Keary. He was a former professional rugby league footballer, having played as a Five-eighth or Halfback for the Catalans Dragons. He has also featured in discussions alongside other recognised players about the sport, and he brings that background into the commentary role for this match.

The third commentator, Ryan Papenhuyzen, adds a notable personal element to this season's broadcast. He was a former Melbourne Storm fullback, and recent reporting around late September 2026 indicates he has gone public with a significant development concerning his own status in the sport as he joins the team for the World Cup window. His history as a player and his current status make him a much-discussed figure heading into the match.

Where to watch and what to expect

The main broadcast is on 7plus / Channel 7 Australia, presented by Matt Shirvington with commentary from Andrew Voss, Luke Keary and Ryan Papenhuyzen, and reporting from Jelisa Apps and Brent Tate. This is the same core team running the world feed for the match.For a second perspective, ABC Sport carries its own broadcast with Andrew Moore as main commentator, Jada Taylor co-commentating and Laurie Spina reporting. Having both channels available means British and Australian viewers alike can follow the Australia v Cook Islands matchup from two angles.The full match takes place on 31 October 2026, with the broadcast timeline set against a UK reference of 09:05 for the matchup. Whether you tune into Channel 7plus or ABC Sport, the commentary team is in place to cover every stage of the match.

For background on the broadcast roster and how the team was put together, the announcement from 2 September 2026 is a useful reference, and details on the career of Andrew Voss are also available.

Article generated: 30 October 2026, 09:07 GMT