4 Warriors included in predicted Kiwis team

New Zealand Kiwis squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup has been predicted, and it makes for some interesting reading.

The Kiwis look set to run Australia all the way for the World Cup trophy, with Samoa, England and Tonga the next best contenders.

Buoyed by the Warriors’ strong performances this year, rugby league fans in New Zealand are growing more confident about their national team.

Then there are an array of talented players across Australia starring for their respective clubs, who are set to don the Kiwi colours later this year.

The biggest name is Kalyn Ponga, who starred for Queensland in the State of Origin, and has guided the Newcastle Knights to the Preliminary Final.

Other stars include Sydney Roosters forward Naufahu Whyte, Brisbane Broncos Player of the Year Xavier Willison, and Canberra Raiders captain Joseph Tapine, among others.

With that in mind, here’s how NRL.com has predicted the Kiwis will line up, with four Warriors players named.

New Zealand Kiwis RLWC26 predicted team:

1 Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights)

2 Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins)

3 Casey McLean (Penrith Panthers)

4 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (New Zealand Warriors)

5 Ronaldo Mulitalo (Cronulla Sharks)

6 Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins)

7 Jahrome Hughes (Melbourne Storm)

8 James Fisher-Harris (New Zealand Warriors)

9 Jeremy Marshall-King (Dolphins)

10 Moses Leota (Penrith Panthers)

11 Briton Nikora (Cronulla Sharks)

12 Isaiah Papali’i (Penrith Panthers)

13 Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders)

14 Phoenix Crossland (Newcastle Knights)

15 Erin Clark (New Zealand Warriors)

16 Naufahu Whyte (Sydney Roosters)

17 Xavier Willison (Brisbane Broncos)

18 Keano Kini (Gold Coast Titans)

19 Te Maire Martin (New Zealand Warriors)