The Team of the Week from the second round of Rugby League World Cup group games is here, with England leading the way with four selections.

Brian McDermott’s side racked up 82 points without reply in a dominant victory over France. That win means they must defeat Papua New Guinea by 68 points and hope that Tonga defeat Samoa in the final round of action.

Elsewhere, there were wins for Tonga, who prevailed against Lebanon, and Samoa, who outclassed Papua New Guinea 64-6.

New Zealand put on an attacking masterclass to beat Cook Islands 82-16, whilst Australia came through unconvincingly against Fiji. The reigning World Cup winners were level with the Bati at 16-all with 25 minutes to go, but they would eventually prevail thanks to a Tom Trbojevic hat-trick.

Rugby League World Cup Week Two Team of the Week

Full-back: AJ Brimson (England)

England’s best player against the French, Brimson was at the centre of everything England did well. From support play to making line breaks, the Gold Coast man capped off his display with a well-deserved try.

Wingers: Dominic Young (England) and Jamayne Isaako (New Zealand)

Young scored a hat-trick in England’s victory, and also provided an assist in what was another clinical showing in his national jersey

Isaako broke the record for most points scored by a New Zealand player in a World Cup, with his three tries and 13 conversions totalling 38 of the Kiwis’ 82 against the Cook Islands.

Centres: Herbie Farnworth (England) and Tolutau Koula (Tonga)

Farnworth, after a relatively quiet game against Tonga, bounced back to life against the French as he scored a first-half hat-trick.

Try-scorer Koula made some impressive running stats, as he totalled 270 metres from just 14 carries. The Manly star also bagged two try assists.

Halves: Kurt Donoghue (Fiji) and Tui Lolohea (Tonga)

It’s not every week that a halves selection comes from a losing side, but Donoghue’s impact in Fiji’s gutsy effort against Australia was incredible. Assisting three of the four tries, the Dolphins utility is more accustomed to the 13 position, but stepped up incredibly for his nation this week.

Still without a contract for 2027, recently-released Huddersfield Giants half-back Lolohea put on a clinic for his national side, as not only did he kick three conversions, but he created two tries in the 36-0 win.

Props: Tanner Stowers-Smith (New Zealand) and Spencer Leniu (Samoa)

Super sub Stowers-Smith scored two in the Kiwis’ victory, a game that was also his debut for New Zealand.  He also ran for 177 metres off 20 carries.

With the game between Samoa and PNG being in the balance until his entrance to the action, Leniu’s power, aggression and leg speed changed the game for the Samoans. Scoring a try and having a second ruled out, his impact off the bench was huge, and that is shown by his 166 metres from 13 carries.

Hooker: Jez Litten (England)

Litten entered the fray 25 minutes into the contest, and with England failing to score in the opening quarter, things quickly changed once he entered the action. Scoring a try and putting Brimson through the gap to assist another, the Hull KR man continues to prove himself as England’s best number nine.

Back row: Jacob Preston (Australia) and Xavier Willison (New Zealand)

Aussie debutant Preston marked his maiden international game with a try, and one that sealed the Kangaroos’ nervy victory over Fiji.

Willison is the third New Zealand involvement in this side, with his average of 10m per carry making him a key part of the Kiwis’ dominant middle unit. 101 of his 157 metres came post-contact, highlighting how hard he was for the Cooks to handle. He also made 25 tackles with no misses.

Loose forward: Francis Manuleleua (Samoa)

The try-scoring lock was exceptional once again, making 260 metres from just 20 carries. With 108 post-contact metres, he also made 21 tackles and offloaded five times.

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