Walsh, Hughes, Toia surge as Manuleleua holds slim lead: Zero Tackle’s Rugby League World Cup MVP, Week 3

A Kiwi and an Australian are well in the mix.

By Scott Pryde · Zero Tackle

Published: Tuesday, 3 November 2026 at 1:23 AM

Key Things to Know

Francis Manuleleua holds a narrow lead in the Rugby League World Cup MVP race with 39 points.
Herbie Farnworth and Jahrome Hughes sit tied for second place with 36 points each.
Reece Walsh, Robert Toia, Herbie Farnworth, and Alex Conti earned maximum 20-vote sweeps in Week 3.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Francis Manuleleua maintained a narrow lead in Zero Tackle's Rugby League World Cup MVP voting following the conclusion of the group stage. The Samoan second-rower earned eight votes against Tonga to reach 39 total votes. However, his lead diminished significantly after rivals Reece Walsh, Jahrome Hughes, and Robert Toia surged up the leaderboard with strong Week 3 performances.

Walsh, Toia, Herbie Farnworth, and Alex Conti each secured a maximum of 20 votes from the four-member voting panel during the round. Hughes also polled heavily with 17 votes to share second place alongside Farnworth on 36 votes, while Walsh moved to fifth with 32 votes.

Read the full article on Zero Tackle

Walsh, Hughes, Toia surge as Manuleleua holds slim lead: Zero Tackle’s Rugby League World Cup MVP, Week 3

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