COOK ISLANDS star Keith Lulia says he is relishing the showdown with Tonga at Rugby League World Cup 2013.

The clash between the two Island nations takes place at Leigh Sports Village on November 5, and is a cross-group game, meaning the result will have a major impact on which teams qualify for the quarter-final stage.

Tonga have been rated as dark horses to make the semi-finals following their comprehensive victory over Samoa in a recent international, while Cook Islands are chasing their first win at a World Cup.

But Lulia, who plies his trade in the Super League with Bradford Bulls, is positive about the team’s chances of success this autumn.

“If we’re lucky with injuries and everybody performs to their abilities then I think we’ll have a very strong chance of producing something,” Lulia told the Leigh Journal.

“It’s hard to get targets at such an early stage, but I think for a nation in our position it’s a case of taking things game by game, and face each challenge as it comes.”

Lulia is one of only three Super League-based players eligible to play for Cook Islands at RLWC2013, though the former Newcastle Knights star notes that there’s plenty of talent rising through the ranks in the NRL.

“There’s not so many of us over here,” said Lulia.

“Zeb Taia has played for the Cook Islands before and I think he’ll probably be captain of the team for the tournament, and the other one is Anthony Gelling, who I know has been in and out of the side at Wigan this year.

“But most of our players will be pulled from the NRL and the reserve grade competitions over there.

“There are young players coming through and a few NRL regulars, like Brad Takairangi at the Titans, Tinirau Arona at the Roosters, and a few others coming through.

“And the guys in the reserve grade have the opportunity to push for a Super League contract. It’s a really great chance for them.

“Anthony Gelling has been given his shot at Wigan and I think he showed what he could do last year. He’s well known over here now, and I hope more Cook Islanders are given that chance.”

Cook Islands face Tonga at Leigh Sports Village on November 5. Tickets for the game start at just £10 and are on sale now.

To make sure you will BE THERE buy now at www.rlwc2013.com or call our 24 Hour Ticket Hotline on 0844 847 2013.