PNG Kumuls name squad for Rugby League World Cup

The squad has a heavy local focus, while also featuring a host of current and ex-NRL players.

EDITOR | October 6, 2026 - 6:33pm

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The Papua New Guinea Kumuls have named their squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, with it to be headlined by departing Parramatta Eels forward Jack de Belin and debutant outside back Josh Feledy.

The Kumuls, coached by Jason Demetriou, made the quarter-finals of the last World Cup in England, but could have a tougher time of it here owning to a revised tournament format which will pit them against both England and Samoa during the group stage.

The squad, outside of de Belin and Feledy, features the likes of Robert Derby, Bailey Biondi-Odo, Zac Laybutt, Nene Macdonald, Rhyse Martin and Luca Moretti with NRL experience, as well as others in the English Super League.

A number of local players are also included, while a stack of players from the victorious London Broncos will pull on the national jersey.

In a devastating blow for the Kumuls, Alex Johnston, the NRL's greatest-ever try-scorer, is out injured for the tournament.

In addition to the 23-man squad, Alex Max, Kyle Laybutt and Jacob Taulani have been named as shadow players to be part of the tournament.

PNG will open their campaign with a clash against Lebanon, before taking on Samoa. Both of those games are in Port Moresby, with their third game to be against England in Wollongong.