White-hot selection battle could define unpredictable World Cup

Every player set to suit up in the Rugby League World Cup has plenty at stake – but some are facing more pressure than others.

Less than a week out from the opening game of the showpiece tournament – a clash between Australia and New Zealand at Allianz Stadium next Thursday night – nine.com.au takes a look at some of the players boiling in the pressure cooker.

Walker, Dearden and Moses

Sam Walker, Tom Dearden and Mitchell Moses are locked in a three-way battle for the coveted Australian No.7 jumper after a ghastly lower-leg injury wiped Nathan Cleary out of the World Cup.

Walker was brilliant for Queensland in his rookie State of Origin campaign this year and the new-age Alfie Langer is a newly minted premiership winner. He is primed to debut in green and gold.

But Dearden has already represented Australia and left no doubt in the six Tests he’s played that he is cut out for the international arena, while Moses is the most experienced of the trio.

The Parramatta skipper toured with Australia for the 2025 Ashes but didn’t get a minute of game time.

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As the halfback for the favourites to win the World Cup, which promises to be the most unpredictable in history, whoever scores the job will carry significant responsibility.

Fifita

David Fifita is capable of being one of the most damaging ball-runners in the world, but the exiled Queensland Origin star has a tendency to drift in and out of games and can be a liability in defence.

After a bumper first season under Wayne Bennett at South Sydney and a terrific outing for the Prime Minister’s XIII against Papua New Guinea last week, he is set to make his long-awaited Kangaroos debut.

Can he prove he belongs in green and gold?

Luai

Jarome Luai has never had as much expectation bearing down on him as he does now, after he became Papua New Guinea’s historic first signing on a deal estimated to be worth $1.2 million a year – and tax-free.

Throw in the fact Luai is a Samoan co-captain, the considerable likelihood of the four-time premiership winner playing halfback and the ever-increasing strength of the national team, and it’s clear to see he is a man under immense pressure.

Luai, who turns 30 in January, couldn’t quite take Samoa all the way in the Pacific Championships last year.

How far can the polarising star, and the likes of Stephen Crichton, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Junior Paulo and Spencer Leniu, take Samoa in the World Cup?

Taumalolo

Jason Taumalolo has achieved just about everything in rugby league. He’s won an NRL premiership, scooped a Dally M Medal, and played 300 first-grade games.

But the hulking middle forward hasn’t won a World Cup – and at 33, this is all but certainly his final chance.

Taumalolo skippered the Tongan side that famously beat Australia 16-12 at Eden Park in 2019 to become the first tier-two nation to defeat the Kangaroos.

It meant so much to the Cowboys’ $10 million man and the tiny South Pacific country that he cherishes that win more than the 2015 premiership he won with North Queensland.

Enormous responsibility rests on Taumalolo’s gargantuan shoulders.

Ponga

If the Kiwis are going to win their first Rugby League World Cup since 2008, Kalyn Ponga needs to produce an individual campaign for the ages.

New Zealand, and the international game, received a massive boost when the wizard-like fullback switched his allegiance from the Kangaroos to the Kiwis at the start of the year, wanting to honour his Māori heritage.

His importance to New Zealand’s shot at World Cup glory is particularly significant given the absence of his Newcastle teammate Dylan Brown, whose season was ended by an ACL rupture, although 2024 Dally M Medal winner Jahrome Hughes is fit again after missing last year’s Pacific Championships.

Australia may be heavily backed in the betting markets, but both Brad Fittler and James Graham have tipped New Zealand to win the tournament.

Ponga holds the keys.