Kiwis secondrower Briton Nikora and Tonga prop Addin Fonua-Blake have been nominated for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week as they prepare to make their Origin debuts under changed eligibility rules.

The Sharks forwards join England lock Victor Radley and Kiwis back Casey McLean as the first players selected for NSW and Queensland who are not eligible to represent Australia.

Nikora, who moved to Queensland from New Zealand when he was nine-years-of-age, will pull on a Maroons jersey for the first time, while Fonua-Blake, Radley and McLean will play for NSW.

Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga is also no longer available for Australia at the World Cup after successfully applying to change his international eligibility to New Zealand earlier this year.

The five, who were either born in NSW or Queensland or resided for their state before the age of 13, meet the criteria for selection and are now able to play after the ARLC modernised the Origin eligibility rules in February.

Ponga is another of the 14 players chosen in the State of Origin squads who have been nominated for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week after Round 11 of the NRL and Round 12 Super League matches.

Axed Blues fullback Dylan Edwards has also been nominated for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week - but the man who replaced him, James Tedesco, has not been after Sydney Roosters loss to North Queensland.

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 features 10 Tonga stars, eight Kiwis, seven English players, six Kiwis and players who are set to play for Australia, Cook Islands, Lebanon and Papua New Guinea at RLWC2026.

Among the players in contention for this week's World Cup Team of the Week are:

Tonga centres Paul Alamoti (Panthers) and Tolu Koula, secondrowers Haumole Olekau'atu (both Sea Eagles), and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, halfback Isaiya Katoa (both Dolphins), props Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks), Taniela Paseka (Sea Eagles) and Stefano Utoikamanu (Storm) and backrower Leka Halasima (Warriors).
Toa Samoa fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins) and Clayton Faulalo (Sea Eagles), five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors), winger Greg Marzhew (Knights), secondrower Heilum Luki and prop Thomas Mikaele (both Cowboys).
Kiwis halfback Jahrome Hughes (Storm), winger Ronaldo Mulitalo, secondrowers Briton Nikora (both Sharks), Isaiah Papali'i (Panthers), props Naufahu Whyte (Roosters) and James Fisher-Harris, lock Erin Clark (both Warriors) and fullback Kalyn Ponga (Knights)
England centres Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins) and Toby King (Warrington), winger Dom Young (Knights), halves Jake Trueman (Wakefield) and Harry Smith, hooker Brad O'Neill (both Wigan) and lock Elliott Minchella (Hull KR).
Lebanon wing hopeful Jason Saab (Sea Eagles).
Papua New Guinea secondrower Rhyse Martin (Hull KR).
Cook Islands centre KL Iro (Sharks).
Kangaroos lock and captain Isaah Yeo, halfback Nathan Cleary (both Panthers), five-eighth and hooker Harry Grant (Storm) and forward Reuben Cotter (Cowboys). Dylan Edwards (Panthers) was also a member of the squad that toured England for last year's Ashes series.

Vote for the World Cup 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.