Every member of the Penrith Panthers starting line-up in last Friday night’s 50-10 defeat of Melbourne Storm has been nominated for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week.
The 13 Panthers include three players expected to represent New Zealand at the upcoming World Cup, two Samoan stars and a Tongan international, with the remaining seven players eligible for Australia, headed by Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo and halfback Nathan Cleary.
Fans can vote for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week with players eligible for World Cup nations nominated after each round of NRL and Super League matches.
NRL Round Up – Round 5, 2026
The Rugby League World Cup 2026 Team of the Week will be announced on RLWC2026.com each Wednesday.
The unbeaten Penrith side have been recognised for their stunning performance against the star-studded Storm, with even back-up-hooker Freddy Lusick – deputising for the suspended Mitch Kenny – earning a nomination.
The only other nominated Panthers player yet to play at international level is winger Thomas Jenkins, who has scored a record 12 tries in the opening five NRL matches of the season.
Edwards' great Friday
Players from 10 nations drawn from 17 clubs have been nominated after matches in Round 5 of the NRL and Round 7 of Super League, including:
- A large contingent of Tonga-eligible players led by Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Haumole Olakau'atu, Lehi Hopoate (Sea Eagles), Paul Alamoti (Panthers), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors), Keaon Koloamatagi (Rabbitohs), Kotoni Staggs (Broncos) and Jo Jo Fifita (Titans)
- England internationals Dom Young (Knights), Kai Pearce-Paul (Wests Tigers), Jake Connor, Ash Handley, James McDonnell (Leeds), Ben Currie (Warrington) and Daryl Clark (St Helens)
- Samoa stars Payne Haas (Broncos), Brian To’o, Blaize Talagi (Panthers), Junior Paulo (Eels), Tyrone May (Hull KR) and Caleb Hamlin-Uele (Wakefield)
- Fiji pair Api Koroisau (Wests Tigers) and Brandon Wakeham (Sea Eagles), who is also eligible for Lebanon
- Kiwis Moses Leota, Casey McLean, Isaah Papali’i (Panthers), Jesse Arthars (Broncos) and Jo Jo Fifita (Titans), who is born in New Zealand but also eligible for Tonga
- France playmaker Cesar Rouge and prop Matthieu Jussaume (Toulouse)
- Lebanon internationals Adam Doueihi and Alex Twal (Wests Tigers)
- Cook Islands centre KL Iro (Sharks)
- Papua New Guinea winger Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs)
- Kangaroos superstars Dylan Edwards, Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo (Panthers), Cameron Murray and Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs), Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles) and Pat Carrigan (Broncos)
Vote for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week now.
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.
