Newcastle's Kiwi connection helped the Knights dominate voting for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week with four players topping polling for their positions.
Knights captain and fullback Kalyn Ponga, star playmaker Dylan Brown and boom frontrower Trey Mooney were among five New Zealand-eligible players in the World Cup Team of the Week, along with Warriors lock Erin Clark and winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira.
Mooney, who represented his Māori heritage in February's All Stars match, was born in Australia but has played for New Zealand A and is a member of the wider Kiwis squad ahead of the World Cup.
New Zealand hooker Phoenix Crossland also plays for the Knights, while Kiwis great Adam Blair - one of just nine IRL Golden Cap recipients who have played 50 or more Tests for their country - is on the club's coaching staff. Blair is also the Māori All Stars coach.
Mooney the try scoring machine
Knights winger Greg Marzhew was also chosen in the RLWC2026 Team of the Week, voted for by fans after Round 9 NRL matches and Round 10 Super League fixtures.
Marzhew, who is vying with the likes of Brian To'o, Murray Taulagi, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Deine Mariner and Khan-Pereira for a wing berth in Samoa's star-studded backline, scored a hat-trick of tries in Newcastle's 42-38 defeat of South Sydney.
Despite the loss, Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell was outstanding, and he polled 45% of all votes for the two centre spots, ahead of Dolphins pair Jack Bostock (14%) and England's Herbie Farnworth (12%).
The battle for the fullback berth included an star list of nominees but fans overwhelming voted for Ponga (36%), ahead of Kangaroos contenders Reece Walsh (16%), James Tedesco (14%) and Dylan Edwards (9%).
Samoa and Storm sensation Sua Fa'alogo polled 11%.
More than 50,000 votes were received for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week, with the most keenly contested position being lock, where Clark (39%) edged Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo (38%) after a late surge for the Kiwi.
Fellow Warriors forward Jackson Ford maintained his place in the RLWC2026 Team of the Week, along with Tonga secondrower Haumole Olakau'atu, Mitchell and Kangaroos halfback Nathan Cleary.
Samoa and Raiders utility Simi Sasagi made the team in the secondrow after previously having been chosen at centre.
Sensational Simi
Cronulla's Blayke Brailey, who has previously spoken about representing his English heritage and remains eligible for England despite being a non-playing member of last year's Ashes winning Australian squad, is the hooker.
Each week, fans vote for their RLWC2026 Team of the Week from players nominated after the previous weekend's NRL and Super League matches, who are eligible for the 10 nations contesting Rugby League World Cup 2026.
The RLWC2026 Team of the Week is announced each Wednesday.
The RLWC2026 Team of the Week is:
- Fullback
Kalyn Ponga 36% - New Zealand (Knights) - Wingers
Alofiana Khan-Pereira 26% - Australia/New Zealand/Samoa (Warriors)
Greg Marzhew 24% - Samoa (Knights) - Centres
Latrell Mitchell 45% - Australia (Rabbitohs)
Jack Bostock 14% - Australia (Dolphins) - Halves
Dylan Brown 25% - New Zealand (Knights)
Nathan Cleary 33% - Australia (Panthers) - Props
Jackson Ford 39% - Australia (Warriors)
Trey Mooney 21% - Australia/New Zealand (Knights) - Hooker
Blayke Brailey 33% - Australia/England (Sharks) - Secondrowers
Simi Sasagi 27% - Samoa (Raiders)
Haumole Olakau'atu 22% - Tonga (Sea Eagles) - Lock
Erin Clark 39% - New Zealand (Warriors)
View the RLWC2026 Team of the Week
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