Former Kangaroos captain James Tedesco is set to ramp up the pressure to regain his No.1 jersey for Rugby League World Cup 2026 as he leads Sydney Roosters deep into the finals.
Tedesco outpolled Kiwis fullback contenders Kalyn Ponga and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstand and Tonga's Isaiah Iongi in polling for the RLWC26 Team of the Week and he could edge out Reece Walsh for the Australian jersey during the play-offs.
Walsh was the Kangaroos fullback in last year's Ashes series against England, with Penrith's Dylan Edwards also in the touring squad.
However, Walsh's Broncos have fallen from grace after winning last year's premiership and won't feature in the NRL finals, while Edwards remains sidelined by a shoulder injury.
All Tries - Cowboys v Roosters
After leading the Kangaroos to victory in the last World Cup in England in 2022, Tedesco lost both his Test and Origin spots to Edwards in 2024 but he was recalled as NSW fullback for this year's series win.
Despite playing just 40 minutes in last weekend's record 82-12 defeat of the Cowboys, Tedesco received 40% of the votes for fullback in the RLWC26 Team of the Week, with Ponga polling 32%.
Tedesco was one of five Roosters players in the World Cup Team of the Week, along with:
- winger Mark Nawaqanitawase, who played for the Kangaroos last year but is eligible for Fiji
- Tonga centre Rob Toia
- England-born Maroons halfback Sam Walker
- Kiwis prop Naufahu Whyte
Kangaroos and Blues playmaker Nathan Cleary was one of three Panthers players in the Team of the Week after inspiring their 42-18 defeat of Canberra, along with secondrower Liam Martin and winger Thomas Jenkins.
Martin, who missed last year's Ashes tour due to his wedding, is a near certainty to regain his secondrow spot in the Australian team, while the uncapped Jenkins is closing in on Dave Brown's 81-year record of 38 tries.
However, there was no room for Kangaroos and Blues captain Isaah Yeo, with Dragons rookie Ryan Couchman (40%) polling ahead of the Panthers star (29%) for the lock position.
Fiji strike secondrower Viliame Kikau (28%) was also a popular choice after demonstrating the influence he could exert on the Bati's World Cup campaign by playing a key role in Canterbury's recent resurgence.
Samoa-eligible players tries of the week!
Kikau, who is contention to captain the Bati along with Wests Tigers hooker Api Koroisau, was again at his damaging best in last Friday night's 36-22 defeat of the Storm.
The return of the star secondrow pairing of Kikau and Jacob Preston has coincided with the Bulldogs winning six of their last seven matches.
Since Kikau's return from injury, the Bulldogs are unbeaten and have now climbed into the top eight.
New Zealand-eligible players tries of the week!
Cronulla hooker Blayke Brailey polled highest (47%), while team-mate Addin Fonua-Blake, the Tonga co-captain received 21% of votes for frontrowers.
England and Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth (31%) rounded out the RLWC26 Team of the Week.
Each week, fans vote for their RLWC26 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 RLWC2026 Team of the Week were:
- Kiwis fullback candidates Kalyn Ponga (Knights) and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors), wingers Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins) and Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks), centres Matt Timoko (Raiders) and Peta Hiku (Hull KR), halfback Te Maire Martin (Warriors), secondrower Isaiah Papali'i (Panthers), hooker Phoenix Crossland (Knights) and props Naufahu Whyte (Roosters), Joseph Tapine (Raiders), Leo Thompson (Bulldogs) and Tanner Stowers-Smith (Warriors). Warriors secondrower Jacob Laban (Warriors) is also eligible for New Zealand.
- Toa Samoa halves Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs) and Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors), wingers Greg Marzhew (Titans) and Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Warriors), and secondrowers Jacob Laban (Warriors), Francis Manulelua (Knights) and Isaiah Vagana (Wakefield). Warriors prop Tanner Stowers-Smith is also eligible for Samoa.
- England centre Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), winger Dom Young (Knights), halfback Jake Connor (Leeds), hooker Brad O'Neill (Wigan) and lock Victor Radley (Roosters).
- Tonga playmakers Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins) and Isaiah Iongi, who plays fullback for the Eels, centres Rob Toia (Roosters) and Paul Alamoti (Panthers), secondrowers Leka Halasima, who played centre for the Warriors, and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins), and props Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks), Salesi Foketi (Roosters) and Fanua Pole (Wests Tigers).
- Fiji secondrower Viliame Kikau and winger Jethro Rinakama (both Bulldogs). Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase (Roosters) is also eligible for Fiji.
- Lebanon playmaker Adam Doueihi and lock Alex Twal (both Wests Tigers) and centre Jordan Samrani (Eels), who were among five Cedars-eligible players in Sunday's match, along with Parramatta halfback Mitch Moses and Tigers secondrower Tony Sukkar.
- Cook Islands centre Val Holmes was one of two Dragons players nominated after their loss to the Dolphins, along with lock Ryan Couchman. Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is also eligible for Cook Islands.
Tonga-eligible players tries of the week!
View voting for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week
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