Livewire Storm fullback Sua Fa'alogo is building a compelling case for Toa Samoa's No.1 jersey after earning selection in the RLWC2026 Team of the Week.
Fa'alogo, who is in a positional battle with Dolphins superstar Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, was voted by fans as fullback in the World Cup Team of the Week after his starring role in the Storm's 42-20 defeat of the Raiders.
The 23-year-old scored a try, laid on two others, made two-line breaks and produced three-line break assists, while kicking four goals and running 145m with the ball as the Storm overcame a 16-0 deficit to win their third consecutive win.
Sualauvi Faalogo Try
Like Fa'alogo, Warriors star Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has shown that he won't give up his Kiwis jersey without a fight after a stunning four-try performance against the Cowboys.
Nicoll-Klokstad had been sidelined for two months with a neck injury and returned last week on the interchange before being chosen on the wing for Sunday's match against the Cowboys in Christchurch after an injury to Alofiana Khan-Pereira.
Usually a fullback, Nicoll-Klokstad faces stiff competition for the New Zealand No.1 jersey with Kalyn Ponga, Keano Kini and Taine Tuaupiki also vying for World Cup selection.
Kini and Tuaupiki have also been nominated for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week after starring at fullback for the Titans and Warriors, while Ponga was rested by the Knight after his role in Queensland's Origin win at the MCG.
With the emergence of Kini in recent seasons, Nicoll-Klokstad has played in the centres or at five-eighth, as well as fullback, for New Zealand in the recent seasons, and his versatility could ensure him a place in the Kiwis squad.
However, he is also eligible for Cook Islands and played the first three of his 19 Tests for the Aitu.
With so many players in form, Kiwis coach Stacey Jones faces a welcome headache if they remain fit, with Jahrome Hughes, Dylan Brown, Te Maire Martin and Kodi Nikorima vying for playmaking roles.
All four were nominated for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week, with fans voting for Martin and rookie Titans halfback Zane Harrison as the halves.
Charnze lights up Christchurch
Harrison, 20, earned his spot after kicking the match winning field goal for Gold Coast against the ladder leading Panthers.
IRL Golden Boot winner Harry Grant also had massive influence on the outcome of Melbourne's match against the Raiders, with the Kangaroos hooker coming off the bench with the Storm trailing 16-0 and leading them to a 42-20 win.
The RLWC2026 Team of the Week featured players from eight NRL teams who are eligible for seven nations.
The Warriors had the biggest contingent of players, with NSW Origin prop Mitch Barnett (Australia) joining Martin and Nicoll-Klokstad.
The Storm - Fa'alogo and Grant - and Roosters - winger Mark Nawaqanitawase (Australia) and centre Robert Toia (Tonga) - had two each.
Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth (England), Wests Tigers prop Terrell May (Samoa), Sea Eagles secondrower Haumole Olakau'atu (Tonga), Cowboys secondrower Jeremiah Nanai (Samoa) and Dragons lock Ryan Couchman (Australia) complete the team.
Zane Harrison wins it for the Titans
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 latest World Cup Team of the Week nominations featured 10 players who are eligible for England, nine for New Zealand and Tonga, eight for Samoa, two for Papua New Guinea and Cook Islands, Fiji cult hero Maika Sivo and France forward Julian Bousquest.
Among the players in contention were World Cup Team of the Week:
- Tonga outside backs Lehi Hopoate, Tolu Koula (both Sea Eagles), Paul Alamoti (Panthers), Robert Toia (Roosters) and Jo Jo Fifita, secondrowers Arama Hau (both Titans) and Haumole Olakau’atu (Sea Eagles), props Stefano Utoikamanu (Storm) and Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans).
- Kiwis fullbacks Keano Kini (Titans) and Taine Tuaupiki (Warriors), winger Will Warbrick, halves Jahrome Hughes (both Storm), Dylan Brown (Knights), Te Maire Martin (Warriors) and Kodi Nikorima, hooker Jeremy Marshall-King (both Dolphins) and prop Naufahu Whyte (Roosters).
- Toa Samoa fullbacks Sua Fa’alogo (Storm) and Charlie Staines (Catalans), halves Jarome Luai (Wests Tigers), Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs) and Tyrone May (Hull KR), prop Terrell May (Wests Tigers), and secondrowers Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys) and Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins).
- England centres Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins) and Harry Newman, playmaker Jake Connor, props Mikolaj Oledzki (all Leeds), Max King (Bulldogs) and Alex Walmsley (St Helens), winger Noah Hodkinson, secondrower Junior Nsemba and hooker Brad O’Neill (all Wigan). Roosters halfback Sam Walker is also eligible for England but wasn’t included in a 38-man squad named last week.
- Papua New Guinea winger Nene Macdonald (St Helens) and centre Rhyse Martin (Hull KR), the Kumuls captain who usually plays in the backrow.
Cook Island centre KL Iro (Sharks). Warriors back Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is also eligible for the Aitu. - Fiji winger Maika Sivo (Leeds). Mark Nawaqanitawase is also eligible for Fiji.
- France lock Julian Bousquet (Catalans).
View voting for the 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.
