Vote now for your RLWC2026 Team of the Week

Tonga stars Lehi Hopoate, Tolu Koula, Haumole Olekau'atu and Taniela Paseka have been recognised for their role in helping to turn around Manly's season with nominations for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week.

The quartet played key roles in the Sea Eagles' 38-6 defeat of the Cowboys - their third consecutive win under the coaching of Kiwis great Kieran Foran, who retired after last November's Pacific Cup triumph against Toa Samoa.

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 will be announced each Wednesday.

The latest World Cup Team of the Week nominations after Round 7 of the NRL and Super League's Round 8 features nine Tonga and nine England internationals, seven Toa Samoa stars and four Kiwis.

There are also players set to represent Cook Islands, Fiji, Lebanon and Papua New Guinea, as well as Australia, whose nominations are headed by five-star performances from former captain James Tedesco and superstar centre Latrell Mitchell.       

Kangaroos halfback Nathan Cleary steered Penrith to the top of the ladder with an extra-time field goal in their 23-22 win against the Dolphins, while Lebanon playmaker Mitchell Moses led Parramatta to a stunning 38-20 defeat of Canterbury.

England centre Herbie Farnworth was outstanding for the Dolphins, while Wests Tigers secondrower Samuela Fainu, who is eligible for Fiji and Tonga, starred in his side's 21-20 loss to the Broncos.

In Super League, Wakefield winger Tom Johnstone and Leeds halfback Brodie Croft each scored four tries, while Castleford centre Krystian St Helens hooker Daryl Clark starred against Toulouse. 

The pair may partner each other as the NSW halves in the upcoming State of Origin series.

In-form Warriors prop Jackson Ford leads the uncapped players nominated, who include Knights hat-trick hero Fletcher Hunt, inspirational Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds and Panthers try scoring record breaker Thomas Jenkins. 

Among the players in contention for this week's World Cup Team of the Week are:

• Samoan fullbacks Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins) and Sua Fa'alogo (Storm), winger Brian To'o (Panthers), centres Simi Sasagi (Raiders) and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors), and props Terrell May (Wests Tigers) and Junior Paulo (Eels). Warriors winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira is also eligible for Samoa.  
• Tonga winger Lehi Hopoate, centres Tolu Koula (both Sea Eagles), Will Penisini (Eels) and Krystian Mapapalangi (Castleford), halfback Isaiya Katoa, prop Taniela Paseka and secondrowers Haumole Olekau'atu (both Sea Eagles), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Leka Halasima (Warriors). Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs and Wests Tigers secondrower Samuela Fainu are also eligible for Tonga.
• Kiwis forwards Joseph Tapine (Raiders), Erin Clark (Warriors), Xavier Willison (Broncos) and Jack Williams (Eels).
• Fiji fullback Jahream Bula and Api Koroisau (both Wests Tigers). Wests Tigers team-mate Samuela Fainu is also keen to play for Fiji.
• England centre Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), wingers Tom Johnstone (Wakefield) and Tommy Makinson (Catalans), halfback Mikey Lewis, lock Elliott Minchella, hookers Jez Litten (all Hull KR) and Daryl Clark (St Helens), and Perth Bears-bound secondrower James McDonnell and prop Mikolaj Oledzki (both Leeds).
• Lebanon's RLWC2021 halves pairing of Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers) and Mitchell Moses (Eels).
• Papua New Guinea winger Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs).
• Cook Islands secondrower Brendan Paikura. Broncos team-mate Xavier Willison is also eligible for Cook Islands.
• Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo, halfback Nathan Cleay (both Panthers), RLWC2021 skipper and fullback James Tedesco (Roosters), centres Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs) and Kotoni Staggs (Broncos), secondrower Hudson Young (Raiders) and prop Mitch Barnett (Warriors). 

Vote now for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week