Every player rated from the Cook Islands' 28-24 win over Wales.

WALES

1. Elliot Kear: The question is begging to be asked: why wasn't Kear playing fullback in their first two games? A Man of the Match performance from the Bradford Bull with the dancing feet, looking dangerous with every touch of the ball. Finished with 113 metres, a try assist, two line break assists, five tackle busts and four offloads. Did everything but win the game for Wales. 8.5

2. Christiaan Roets: Bagged his second straight double, again raising the question why he wasn't in the line-up for the first game against Italy. 7.5

3. Rhodri Lloyd: Took full advantage of some great backline play, scoring a try and setting his winger up for another. Almost 100 metres gained, three tackle breaks and two line breaks. 7

4. Rhys Evans: Had two strong games at fullback but was quieter in the centres, running the ball just six times. 5.5

5. Rob Massam: Finished off a brilliant team try in the first half, but was also responsible for a horrible error that resulted in try not long after. 6

6. Danny Jones: Overshadowed by Lupton's strong performance, failed to find touch once, and missed three of four conversions. Also missed four tackles. 3.5

7. Peter Lupton: Made over 300 metres with his kicks, and his two-man cut out pass for one of Roet's tries was sublime. 6.5

8. Ben Flower: Easily one of Wales' best players all tournament, finishing the World Cup with averages of 111 metres and 35 tackles. 8

9. Neil Budworth: His re-introduction in the second half coincided with a turn in momentum for the home side. Got his team on the front foot with good decision-making in his farewell match. 7 

10. Jordan James: Doubled the output of his first two games with a breakout 100 metre performance, but did commit two errors. 6.5

11. Ross Divorty: Made a handful of decent runs, but was otherwise quiet. 5.5

12. Tyson Frizell: The lone NRL player was well-contained by the Cook Islands defence, limiting the Dragons forward to his most ineffective performance of the tournament. 5.5

13. Larne Patrick: Ran the ball just twice, but made 26 tackles. 6

14. Lloyd White: After two games at five-eighth, White suffered a horror first half before atoning with a try in the second. 5.5

15. Craig Kopzcak: Powerhouse performance from Huddersfield Giant, playing the final hour of the game and running 127 metres and offloading three times. 7

16. Gil Dudson: Threw his weight around with some big carries and huge hits, but tired late. 6.

17. Anthony Walker: Saw little action, running just four times and making 13 tackles. 5

   

COOK ISLANDS

1. Lulia Lulia: Played one game on the wing, the next in the centres before finally getting one at fullback, but it was his quietest of the three. 6

2. Chris Taripo: Didn't see much action out wide, so went in-field for work. Made 14 carries for 86 metres, most of them in his own half. Kicked four from five. 6.5

3. Brad Takairangi: Made 130 metres against the Tonga, but could only manage 62 metres in this one. Strong in defence though. 6

4. Keith Lulia: Scored an opportunistic try, and made plenty of in-roads with each carry, breaking four tackles and breaching the line twice. A wily pick-up for the Wests Tigers. 7.5

5. Rea Pittman: The ball never found him and he didn't really find the ball. 5.5

6. Johnathon Ford: He's no Johnathan Thurston, but the Newtown representative improved as the match wore on. Scored a try off his own towering bomb. 7

7. Isaac John: Looked dangerous each time he ran the ball, and came up with a crucial tackle on the dangerous Elliot Kear in the closing stages. 7

8. Dylan Napa: Arguably his team's best on field, making a number of inspirational charges and big hits. Also showed good awareness to chase a bomb, pick up the scraps and set up a try. Made 144 metres but also penalised twice. 8.5

9. Daniel Fepuleai: Good service out of dummy half, and strong in defence. Solid performance. 7

10. Zeb Taia: Typical captain's knock and made important plays when his team needed them, including a surprisingly impressive kick to the corner in the first half. 7.5

11. Tupou Sopoaga: Made a handful of decent runs, totalling 64 metres. 6

12. Dominique Peyroux: Strong in defence, and scored a good try early in the second half. 6.5

13. Tinirau Arona: Another powerhouse performance from the hardworking lock, leading the team with 33 tackles. 7

14. Sam Brunton: Introduced midway through second half but didn't make much of an impact. 4

15. Anthony Gelling: Had a bad start to the game but redeemed himself with a strong second half, ending up with 115 metres, four tackle busts and two line breaks. Showed good footwork at the line. 7

16. Joseph Matapuku: Played sparingly, and contributed as much. 4.5

17. Adam Tangata: Ran the ball with gusto, and was a handful with his few carries. 5.5