Penrith Panthers winger Thomas Jenkins had a freakish try scoring run in 2026, and is well within selection conversations for a spot in the outside backs for Kevin Walters' Australian Kangaroos squad.
The World Cup kicks off in October, with Jenkins still having - at most - two more NRL games to continue his incredible audition tape in 2026.
Jenkins is sitting on 30 tries this season in 24 matches and equalled first with South Sydney's Alex Johnston.
At his peak, Jenkins bagged 12 tries in his first five games this year and has kept the foot on the throttle, which may get him a green and gold jersey.
Despite the looming international honours, for now Jenkins remains solely focused on delivering Penrith their fifth title in six years.
"Obviously, a massive goal," Jenkins said on Channel 7's Agenda Setters: Rugby League.
"I got asked the other day if I could represent anyone else, and I'll probably be able to represent someone. But it wouldn't feel right if it wasn't Australia.
"So hopefully two more games leading into that. But it is a personal goal of mine, and I'd be really excited to do that. But Sunday's the one (focus) first."
There are set to be some vacant spots in the Kangaroos backline with incumbent Mark Nawaqanitawase departing the code while Josh Addo-Carr's representative future remains cloudy after an alleged off-field incident.
The duo completed the wing-pairing the last time Australia played at Test level, which was against England in the Ashes tour at the end of 2025.
In the meantime, Jenkins will line up against Dominic Young in a thrilling individual battle when the Panthers host the Knights in Week 3.
The Knights are continuing to defy odds and progress through the finals, led by skipper Kalyn Ponga, who is playing career-best and is the in-form player during September.
Jenkins acknowledged the threat of Ponga but remained tight-lipped on how Penrith plan to limit his impact.
"I definitely think we've got a good coaching staff at Penrith in (Peter Wallace) our defensive coach and he's one of those people who has a game plan around pretty much everyone on the field, which is always helpful," he added.
"But in saying that, I think KP is just gonna be KP. He's one of those players that he's electric at all times and he can turn a game on its head in a flash. So I'm sure there'll be a plan around it."
The blockbuster preliminary final kicks off on Sunday afternoon to secure a place in the Grand Final.
