The battle for the Kiwis No.9 jersey continues to gather pace after Newcastle's Phoenix Crossland edged the Dolphins' Jeremy Marshall King for the hooking role in the RLWC2026 Team of the Week.
Just a week after fans voted for Marshall-King as hooker ahead of Crossland and Brandon Smith, Crossland polled 48% of votes compared to 46% for Marshall-King following their head-to-head clash last Sunday.
A field goal by star playmaker Dylan Brown gave the Knights a 13-12 win and earned him a place in the World Cup Team of the Week - one of three Kiwis, along with Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako.
The Knights and the Dolphins have three players each in the RLWC2026 Team of the Week - Newcastle secondrower Dylan Lucas and the Dolphins pair of centre Herbie Farnworth (England) and forward Kulikefu Finifeuaki (Tonga).
Lebanon and Wests Tigers playmaker Adam Doueihi is the other half, while the Dragons have two players after their 24-10 win - Cook Islands centre Val Holmes and emerging prop Toby Couchman, who could be a bolter for the Kangaroos.
Val at his best
Penrith also have two players - former Kangaroos fullback Dylan Edwards and winger Thomas Jenkins, who is closing in on Immortal Dave Brown's record of 38 tries in the 1935 season after crossing for a hat-trick against the Rabbitohs. Jenkins has scored 25 tries so far season.
South Sydney prop Keaon Koloamatangi, who is eligible for Tonga as well as Australia and Leeds-bound Eels star Dylan Walker are the other players voted by fans for a place in the RLWC2026 Team of the Week.
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.
Among the players nominated for the World Cup Team of the Week were:
- Kiwis playmaker Dylan Brown, hookers Phoenix Crossland (both Knights) and Jeremy Marshall-King, winger Jamayne Isaako, lock Xavier Willison (Broncos) and prop Jack Williams (Eels),
- Toa Samoa centre Mat Feagai (Dragons), prop Terrell May (Wests Tigers), winger Greg Marzhew (Knights), secondrower Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins) and halfback Ronald Volkman (Eels);
- England centres Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins) and Ash Handley (Leeds), playmaker Jack Farrimond, hooker Brad O'Neill (Wigan), fullback Olly Ashall-Bott (Toulouse) and prop Caleb Hamlin-Uele (Wakefield);
- Tonga back Isaiah Iongi (Eels), centre Paul Alamoti (Panthers) wingers Sione Katoa (Sharks) and Lehi Hopoate, prop Taniela Paseka (both Sea Eagles) and secondrower Kulekefu Finefeuaiki (Dolphins);
- Cook Islands centres KL Iro (Sharks) and Val Holmes (Dragons). Broncos forward Xavier Willison is also eligible for the Aitu;
- Papua New Guinea halves Gairo Voro (London Broncos), Lachlan Lam and hooker Edwain Ipape (both Leigh);
Lebanon playmaker Adam Doueihi, lock Alex Twal (both Wests Tigers) and centre Jordan Samrani (Eels); - Fiji fullback Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers) and secondrower Kitione Kautoga (Eels), and;
- France secondrower Matthieu Jussaume (Toulouse).
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.
