With the Men’s and Women’s Rugby League World Cups growing ever-larger on the horizon, the sport’s recent Rep Round was a fantastic chance for the coaches and selectors of the various international squads to check whether they were on the right track as far as locking-in squads for the blockbuster tournament is concerned. Five names in particular stood out. While not necessarily superstars just yet, they all contributed superbly to their country’s efforts across Rep Round, and represent the next wave of international talent rising through the ranks.

It took just ten minutes for Isabelle Kelly to make her mark on the international rugby league stage. In fact, she couldn’t have done it in any better fashion.

On debut in Canberra for the Jillaroos against the might of the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns, the Central Coast-based fullback fielded a Kiwi clearing kick on the fly. With just 45 metres between her and the Jillaroos tryline, Kelly burst into and through the visitors’ defensive line for a brilliant individual try. Her overall effort in the defending world-champion Jillaroos’ gutsy 16-4 win (as part of an Aussie vs NZ double-header to open the NRL’s Representative Round) was simply superb.

The 21-year-old personal trainer is only a relatively recent convert to rugby league after previously excelling in touch football and league tag. The Berkeley Vale Panthers star has already burst into the New South Wales and Australian squads is testament to her talent, commitment and unlimited potential.

Kelly will prove a handy squad member for the Jillaroos’ Women’s Rugby League World Cup campaign at the end of the year. With the Aussies marked down to play the Cook Islands, England and Canada, the Jillaroos will certainly be looking to Kelly to add strength and spark to their attack across three pool games against extremely physical opponents.

Vs Cook Islands
Purchase Tickets to Australia v Cook Islands in Sydney on 16/11/2017

Vs England
Purchase Tickets to Australia v England in Sydney on 19/11/2017

Vs Canada
Purchase Tickets to Australia v Canada in Sydney on 22/11/2017

There will be plenty of flamboyant footy played at Port Moresby’s National Football Stadium across that venue’s three preliminary games at the upcoming 2017 Rugby League World Cup, but it will be a prop who could really be bringing the locals to their feet.

Standing at 194cm and 113kg, Wellington Albert is one rugby league beast who is bloody hard to stop. The 22-year-old was a standout for the Papua New Guinea Kumuls in his nation’s recent 32-22 victory over the Cook Islands at Campbelltown. And by the time the World Cup arrives at the end of the year, he would only have built on his nous in the engine room even more.

Having spent three seasons with Penrith in the Holden and NSW Cups, Albert left the Panthers to join the super-successful PNG Hunters in the Queensland competition. The aggressive forward has since played three Tests for the Kumuls and is currently on the lookout for a new deal with an NRL club.

Already a history-maker as the first Papua New Guinean to score an NRL contract directly from PNG, he’ll be out to create more history – and body aches – against PNG’s pool rivals Wales, Ireland and the USA when the Cup rolls around in late October.

Vs Wales
Tickets on Sale soon Papua New Guinea v Wales in Port Moresby on 28/10/2017

Vs Ireland
Tickets on Sale soon Papua New Guinea v Ireland in Port Moresby on 05/11/2017

Vs USA
Tickets on Sale soon Papua New Guinea v USA in Port Moresby on 12/11/2017

If there was anyone across the recent Representative Round who encapsulated the beaming pride that comes with representing your nation in a Test match, it had to be giant prop Leilani Latu.

Latu made his international debut at Campbelltown in the recent triple-header against Fiji. On an historic night, Tonga was taking on Fiji for just the second time ever, with both sides comprised almost entirely of NRL talent.

The 24-year-old scored Tonga’s second try of the night, proving too strong and too big to stop from close range to put his side up 10-0 after 12 minutes.

The 190cm, 115kg wrecking ball of a prop was at it again later in the match, scoring the winning try for his country in the dying stages. His converted try saw Tonga win a thriller 26-24 in front of a delirious Campbelltown crowd.

Nicknamed Kong, Latu has clocked up 40 games for the Penrith Panthers since his debut for the NRL club in 2015. Almost needless to say is hopeful of playing more games for Tonga, with that win over Fiji surely a huge confidence boost in the lead up to the World Cup later this year.

Vs Scotland
Purchase Tickets to Tonga v Scotland in Cairns on 29/10/2017

Vs Samoa
Purchase Tickets to Tonga v Samoa in Hamilton on 04/11/2017

Vs New Zealand
Purchase Tickets to Tonga v New Zealand in Hamilton on 11/11/2017

He has been a representative for Fiji since 2015, but this year’s World Cup is looking more and more likely to prove the perfect launch pad for Daniel Saifiti into the rugby league stratosphere.

Along with his brother Jacob, the 195cm, 125kg juggernaut prop has been a tower of strength for the Newcastle Knights in yet another challenging but improving year.

In fact, the 21-year-old’s consistent effort throughout 2017 thus far has been so impressive that he, along with his brother, earned ultimate praise from one of the boys’ idols, fellow Fiji representative and Broncos, Penrith, Queensland and Australian great Petero Civoniceva.

In camp as part of the build up to Fiji’s recent international against Tonga at Campbelltown, Civoniceva shared his thoughts on the twin towers, and wasn’t afraid for Daniel especially to hear them.

"I know it means a lot to them both, and every week has been a battle for them at club level, but they're still upbeat and are handling everything well,” said Petero. “I'm blown away by their maturity and being able to hold it all together. They've got huge futures in the game."

The kind words must have had an effect on young prop Daniel; he was able to power his way over with 15 minutes left in the game against Tonga, steamrolling his way past Tony Williams and Will Hopoate to go over next to the posts.

Vs USA
Purchase Tickets to USA v Fiji in Townsville on 28/10/2017

Vs Wales
Purchase Tickets to Wales v Fiji in Townsville on 05/11/2017

Vs Italy
Purchase Tickets to Italy v Fiji in Canberra on 10/11/2017

Perhaps it is the most experienced players who are more appreciative of their chance at representing their country after all. If this is the case, then Stefan Ratchford is the ideal example.

The 28-year-old was a late call-up into the Wayne Bennett-coached England team for the tourists’ Pacific Test against Samoa, with Gareth Widdop succumbing to a knee ligament injury in the build-up. 

Rachford, who has played over 150 games for the Warrington Wolves in Super League since debuting for them in 2012 (and 78 games for Salford across 2007-11), took full advantage of his opportunity with a terrific all-round performance in England’s dominant 30-10 win over arguably the best team Samoa has ever assembled, it being chock-full of NRL-level talent.

Playing in the number-one jersey for England, the 28-year-old Rachford put England 14-0 up approaching half-time when he spotted a gap 30m out from the Samoa line and sliced and swerved through the broken Samoan defence to score under the posts.

A proud Rachford was a good look in the England kit at Campbelltown, and could prove very handy for Bennett across the World Cup, with his ability to cover a number of positions, including lock and in the halves.

Vs Australia
Purchase Tickets to Australia v England in Melbourne on 27/10/2017

Vs Lebanon
Purchase Tickets to Lebanon v England in Sydney on 04/11/2017

Vs France
Purchase Tickets to France v England in Perth on 12/11/2017

By James Smith | @JamesSmith1001
Contributer, RLWC2017