Vote for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week

Tonga stalwarts Daniel Tupou and Sione Katoa have made it clear they won’t give up their wing spots without a fight as coach Kristian Woolf braces for some tough selection calls ahead of Rugby League World Cup 2026.

Tupou, who is aiming for a third consecutive World Cup appearance for Tonga, celebrated his 300th NRL appearance for Sydney Roosters with a hat-trick of tries after returning from a calf injury, while Katoa starred in Cronulla’s 66-0 rout of Woolf’s Dolphins.

The pair have been mainstays of the Tonga team but Woolf has a glut of backline talent at his disposal.

Sea Eagles pair Lehi Hopoate and Tolu Koula, Penrith’s Paul Alamoti, Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Gold Coast’s Jojo Fifita, Roosters centre Rob Toia, St George Illawarra’ Moses Suli and Eels backs Isaiah Iongi and Will Penisini among those fighting for places in the 23-man squad.

Dolphins star Isaiya Katoa will call the shots at halfback, probably with Iongi alongside him in the other playmaking role, while Tonga’s forward stocks are equally stacked.

Inspirational prop Jason Taumalolo, who also recently celebrated his 300th NRL game for the Cowboys, and Cronulla’s Addin Fonua-Blake are the leaders of the pack, and they will be ably assisted by Manly secondower Haumole Olakau’atu.

David Fifita could come also into contention for a secondrow berth after starring in South Sydney’s defeat of the Knights, along with Kulekefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins), Siua Wong (Roosters), Sitiili Tupouniua (Bulldogs), Siosifa Talakai (Sharks), Leka Halasima and Demetric Vaimauga (both Warriors).

Up front, Stefano Utoikamanu (Storm), Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans), Tevita Tatola (Rabbitohs), Taniela Paseka (Sea Eagles) Oregon Kaufusi (Sharks), Felise Kaufusi and Francis Molo (both Dolphins) are vying for spots.

Kaufusi's namesake, Oregon, who plays for Samoa, celebrated his 150th NRL appearance in Cronulla’s demolition of the previously high-flying Dolphins.

Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes sent a reminder of his talents to Kangaroos selectors with a record 30-point haul, comprising of 11 goals and two tries, while also producing four try assists.

Like Tupou, Warriors captain James Fisher-Harris also returned from injury to lead the New Zealand-placed team to a 32-6 defeat of Wests Tigers – solidifying their place in the top four.   

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 are:

• Kiwis fullback contenders Keano Kini (Titans) and Kalyn Ponga, playmakers Dylan Brown (both Knights), Te Maire Martin (Warriors) and Jahrome Hughes, winger Will Warbrick (both Storm), lock Erin Clark, props James Fisher-Harris (both Warriors), Naufahu Whyte (Roosters), Jack Williams (Eels) and Joseph Tapine, and centre Matt Timoko (both Raiders).
• Toa Samoa winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira, secondrowers Jacob Laban (both Warriors), Ata Mariota (Raiders) and Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys) and props Spencer Leniu (Roosters) and Oregon Kaufusi (Sharks).
• England centres Billy Smith (Roosters) and Harry Newman (Leeds), and hooker Brad O'Neill (Wigan).
• Tonga wingers Daniel Tupou (Roosters), Sione Katoa (Sharks) and Lehi Hopate, secondrowers Haumole Alakau’atu (both Sea Eagles), David Fifita (Rabbitohs) and Siua Wong (Roosters), and prop Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys). Rabbitohs prop Keaon Koloamatangi is eligible for Tonga and represented his heritage at the last World Cup.
• Cook Islands centre KL Iro (Sharks), Lebanon centre Jordan Samrani (Eels) and France secondrower Matthieu Jussaume (Toulouse).

Vote for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week