VILIAME KIKAU has demonstrated the influence he could exert on the Bati's World Cup campaign after playing a key role in Canterbury's recent resurgence.

The Fiji strike forward, who is set to lead the Bati 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.

Kikau is among five Canterbury players nominated for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week, along with felllow Fijian Jethro Rinikama, Samoa superstar Stephen Crichton, Kiwis prop Leo Thompson and Preston.

Photo: Kiwis prop Leo Thompson and Kangaroos secondrow contender Jacob Preston are among the Bulldogs stars nominated for RLWC26 Team of the Week. @NRL Photos

With Kangaroos secondrowers Hudson Young (Achilles) and Angus Crichton (rugby union) out of World Cup contention and Dylan Lucas (ACL) also unavailable, Preston is in line for a place in the team to play the Kiwis in the tournament opener on October 1 at Allianz Stadium.

Liam 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 and was one of Penrith's best against the Raiders in Mudgee.

After piling on the biggest score since 193 to thrash the Cowboys 82-12, Sydney Roosters have eight players nominated for the World Cup Team of the Week, including captain and fullback James Tedesco, who only played 40 minutes.

Halfback Sam Walker scored a record 36 points to maintain his push for a Kangaroos call-up after starring for Queensland in his first State of Origin series.

Other Roosters nominated for the Team of the Week include Tonga centre Rob Toia and prop Salesi Foketi, winger Mark Nawaqanitawase, who is eligible for Fiji, Kiwis enforcer Naufahu Whyte, England lock Victor Radley and NSW Origin hooker Reece Robson.

The Warriors have seven players nominated for the RLWC26 Team of the Week - fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira, centre Leka Halasima, who usually plays in the secondrow, halves Chanel Harris-Tavita and Te Maire Martin, secondrower Jacob Laban and prop Tanner Stowers-Smith.

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 are:

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.

Vote now for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week