Broncos superstar Reece Walsh has responded to a show of confidence from Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters with a stunning return to the form which earned him the Australian No.1 jersey in last year’s Ashes series against England.

With the NRL premiers struggling near the bottom of the ladder, Walsh was overlooked for Queensland selection in Origin I, not used in Game Two and only played off the bench in the series decider but Walters said he remained his first-choice fullback for Rugby League World Cup 2026.

Dylan Edwards and James Tedesco, who captained Australia to victory at the last World Cup in 2022, are Walsh’s main rivals but he gave a reminder of why Walters had opted for him by inspiring Brisbane to a shock 12-10 defeat of the table-topping Panthers.

Maroons pair Kalyn Ponga, who has pledged his loyalty to New Zealand, and Samoa’s Hamiso Tabuia-Fidow have also been nominated in the fullback position for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week, along with England’s Jack Welsby (St Helens).

Other England-eligible players include centres AJ Brimson (Titans), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins) and Billy Smith (Roosters), playmaker Jake Trueman (Wakefield) and props Max King (Bulldogs) and Luke Thompson (Wigan).

Photo: Bulldogs prop Max King is one of seven England-eligible players nominated for the World Cup 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 RLWC2026 Team of the Week are:

Kiwis fullback candidate Kalyn Ponga, playmaker Dylan Brown (both Knights), winger Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins), secondrower Jordan Riki and props Xavier Willison (both Broncos), Naufahu Whyte (Roosters) and Joseph Tapine (Raiders). Titans outside back Jojo Fifita and Storm secondrower Cooper Clarke are also eligible for New Zealand.
Toa Samoa fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), winger Brian To’o (Panthers), centres Simi Sasagi (Raiders) and Ali Leiataua, five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita (both Warriors) and secondrower Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys). Titans captain and prop Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is also eligible for Samoa.
England centres AJ Brimson (Titans), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins) and Billy Smith (Roosters), fullback Jack Welsby (St Helens), playmaker Jake Trueman (Wakefield) and props Max King (Bulldogs) and Luke Thompson (Wigan). All are in the 38-man World Cup squad named by new England coach Brian McDermott.
Tonga wingers Sione Katoa (Sharks) and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors), centre Jojo Fifita (Titans), hooker Soni Luke (Cowboys) and secondrower Kulikefu Fineuiaki (Dolphins). Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs is also eligible for Tonga.
Fiji wingers Jethro Rinakama (Bulldogs), Jason Qareqare (Castleford) and Mark Nawaqanitawase (Roosters), who new Bati coach Mick Potter has urged to represent his father’s birth nation at RLWC2026.
Lebanon-eligible winger Jason Saab (Sea Eagles) and Papua New Guinea hooker Edwin Ipape (Leigh) were also nominated, while Willison is eligible for Cook Islands.

Vote for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week

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