More than one thousand people will take part in the pre-match entertainment at the Memorial Stadium next Wednesday before the Cook Islands (pop. 11,000) take on the USA (population 314 million) in the group stages of the Rugby League World Cup.
The hope is that there won’t be more entertainers than spectators, as two countries not known for their rugby league prowess compete in a city not known for its rugby league.
Before a ball is kicked, there will be mass dancing, singing with the Gurt Lush Choir, a parade, live music with Bristol Samba, cheerleaders, a guard of honour from Swindon St George wheelchair team and the Lord Mayor’s official mace escort for the world cup trophy.
The Cook Islands team have now arrived in Bristol and surprised a few people with an impromptu haka at the Watershed on Tuesday night:
