Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston is firming for a place in the Kangaroos side for RLWC26 after winning selection in the World Cup Team of the Week.
Fresh off signing a new three-year deal with Canterbury, Preston polled 28 of the vote for secondrowers, edging out Warriors backrower Jacob Preston, who was one of five Samoan players in the RLWC26 Team of the Week.
Preston was a member of the Kangaroos squad for last year's Ashes series in England but did is yet to make his Test debut, with Hudson Young and Angus Crichton preferred ahead of him.
Australia-eligible players top tries of the week
However, with both out of the World Cup and Newcastle's Dylan Lucas also injured, Preston is a leading contender to partner Panthers star Liam Martin in the Australian secondrow.
Meanwhile, Laban is one of five Warriors players in the Team of the Week, along with fullback Taine Tuaupiki, centre Leka Halasima, playmaker Chanel Harris-Tavita and prop Mitch Barnett.
Laban, Harris-Tavita, superstar winger Panthers winger Brian To'o, Wests Tigers forward Terrell May and Broncos prop Payne Haas ensured Toa Samoa had the biggest representation.
Preston, Barnett, Dolphins winger Selwyn Cobbo and Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary are the Australian contingent in the RLWC26 Team of the Week.
New Zealand, Tonga, England and Fiji each have one player - Tuaupiki, Halasima, Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth and Wests Tigers hooker Api Koroisau.
Each week, fans vote for their RLWC26 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.
Among the players nominated for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week were:
Samoa-eligible players tries of the week
- Kiwis fullback candidates Taine Tuaupiki (Warriors), winger Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks), centres Casey McLean (Panthers) and Patrick Herbert (Wests Tigers), props Joseph Tapine (Raiders) and Naufahu Whyte (Roosters). Warriors secondrower Jacob Laban is also eligible for New Zealand, while hooker Wayde Egan is also considering whether to change his eligibility from Australia.
- Toa Samoa fullback Sua Faalogo (Storm), wingers Brian To’o (Panthers), Phillip Sami (Titans) and Jeral Skelton (Wests Tigers), playmakers Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors), Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs) and Clayton Faulalo (Sea Eagles), secondrowers Jacob Laban (Warriors) and Brian Pouniu (Dolphins), lock Terrell May (Wests Tigers) and props Payne Haas (Broncos) and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava (Warriors). Titans props Tino Fa'asuamaleaui is yet to confirm if he will play for Samoa or Australia.
- England centre Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), props Max King (Bulldogs) and Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds), fullback Jack Welsby (St Helens), five-eighth George Williams, hooker Danny Walker (both Warrington) and lock Cameron Smith (Leeds).
- Tonga playmaker Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins), winger Sione Katoa (Sharks), centres Rob Toia (Roosters) and Leka Halasima (Warriors), prop Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks), and secondrowers David Fifita (Rabbitohs) and Salesi Foketi (Roosters).
- Lebanon winger Jason Saab (Sea Eagles) and secondrower Tony Sukkar (Wests Tigers).
- Cook Islands winger Paul Ulburg and France secondrower Mathieu Jussaume (both Toulouse).
- Papua New Guinea winger Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs) and centre Josh Feledy (Sea Eagles).
- Fiji hooker Api Koroisau and fullback Jahream Bula (both Wests Tigers. Roosters winger Mark Nawitawaqanase is also eligible for the Bati as well as the Kangaroos.
Tonga-eligible players tries of the week
View your World Cup Team of the Week
Rugby League World Cup 2026 returns to Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. Where nations clash, heroes rise, and legends are forged. 3 World Cups. 26 Teams. The World’s Best. Tickets are now on sale from $19. Don’t miss the pinnacle of global Rugby League.
