Superstar fullbacks Kalyn Ponga and Reece Walsh have been nominated for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week after their first game back from injury - but they face tough opposition for the No.1 spot.
Storm sensation Sua Fa'alogo, fellow Samoan Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, four-times premiership winning NSW Origin star Dylan Edwards, former Kangaroos captain James Tedesco, Canberra's Kaeo Weekes and Warriors rookie Taine Tuaupiki are the other fullbacks nominated.
Ponga, who has pledged his allegiance to New Zealand, and Walsh - the Kangaroos fullback - could be Queensland team-mates in State of Origin and rivals at the World Cup.
Fa'alogo, who played opposite Tabuai-Fidow, scored one of the tries of the season in Melbourne's loss to the Dolphins, while Weekes (Raiders), Tedesco (Roosters), Edwards (Panthers) and Tuaupiki (Warriors) starred in their team's wins.
Round 9: Sua slices through the Dolphins
Ponga also played a key role in Newcastle's stunning 42-28 defeat of South Sydney in his first match back since suffering a hamstring injury in Round 2, while Walsh orchestrated a second half Broncos comeback against Sydney Roosters.
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.
Round 9: Walsh puts his body on the line
The RLWC2026 Team of the Week is announced each Wednesday.
The latest World Cup Team of the Week nominations after Round 9 of the NRL and Super League's Round 10 features 10 players eligible for New Zealand and England, eight Tonga internationals and seven Samoa stars.
There are also four members of Australia's 2025 Ashes winning team and players set to line up for Cook Islands, Fiji, France and Papua New Guinea at RLWC2026.
Sensational Simi
Among the nominations are six members of the previous RLWC2026 Team of the Week - Dylan Edwards, Alex Johnston, Latrell Mitchell, Nathan Cleary, Jackson Ford and Haumole Olekau'atu.
In Super League, top of the table Leeds has two representatives - halfback Jake Connor, the 2025 Man of Steel, and Fiji wing sensation Maika Sivo, who scored a hat-trick in the Rhino's 40-22 defeat of Wakefield.
Wigan's return to the winner's circle against Bradford also earned two nominations - secondrower Liam Farrell and hooker Brad O'Neill - while Leigh forwards Joe Ofahengau and Owen Trout, who will join Cronulla after the World Cup - have also been shortlisted
Other Super League players nominated include St Helens prop Alex Walmsley, Hull KR winger Tom Davies, Catalans hooker Ugo Tison and Toulouse lock Joe Cator.
Among the players in contention for this week's World Cup Team of the Week are:
- Kiwis fullback Kalyn Ponga (Knights), centre Matt Timiko (Raiders), playmaker Dylan Brown (Knights), props James Fisher-Harris (Warriors), Joseph Tapine (Raiders) and Naufuha Whyte (Roosters), secondrower Xavier Willison (Broncos), lock Erin Clark (Warriors) and uncapped rookie Taine Tuaupiki (Warriors). Knights prop Trey Mooney and Raiders fullback Kaeo Weekes are also eligible for New Zealand.
- Toa Samoa fullbacks Sua Fa'alogo (Storm) and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), wingers Greg Marzhew (Knights) and Alofiana Khan-Pereria (Warriors), centres Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors) and Clayton Faulalo (Sea Eagles) and secondrower Simi Sasagi (Raiders).
- Tonga wingers Daniel Tupou (Roosters) and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors), halfback Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins), props Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys) and Joe Ofahengau (Leigh), and secondrowers Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins) and Haumole Olekau'atu (Sea Eagles).
- England centre Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), winger Tom Davies (Hull KR), playmaker Jake Connor (Leeds), props Alex Walmsley (St Helens), hooker Brad O'Neill (Wigan), secondrowers Owen Trout (Leigh) and Liam Farrell (Wigan) and lock Joe Cator (Toulouse). Roosters halfback Sam Walker and Sharks hooker Blayke Brailey are also eligible for England.
- Cook Islands centre KL Iro (Sharks), Fiji winger Maika Sivo (Leeds), Papua New Guinea star Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs) and France hooker Ugo Tison (Catalans) each have a player nominated. Xavier Willison is also eligible for Cook Islands.
- Kangaroos lock Isaah Yeo (Panthers), halfback Nathan Cleary (Panthers), fullback Reece Walsh (Broncos) and forward Reuben Cotter (Cowboys) have all been nominated, along with Dylan Edwards (Panthers) and Blayke Brailey, who were members of last year's Ashes squad, and 2022 World Cup winner Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs).
Vote now for your RLWC2026 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.
