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Papua New Guinea’s Dream 17 Unveiled
(Published on June 1, 2024 by Rugby League World)
As the excitement builds for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup, we’re taking a closer look at the dream starting 13 and four-bench players that each nation could field if they had the luxury of selecting from every eligible player. Kicking things off, we present Papua New Guinea’s formidable lineup.
Alex Johnston, the South Sydney Rabbitohs ace, leads the charge at fullback. The 29-year-old is the third-highest try-scorer in Australian first-grade rugby league history and has represented the Kumuls since 2019, following his early Kangaroos debut in 2015.
Alongside Johnston in the backline are the dynamic duo of Nene Macdonald and Justin Olam. Port Moresby native Macdonald has been a revelation since joining Leigh in 2022, while the versatile Olam, hailing from the village of Gon, has over 100 NRL appearances for Melbourne Storm under his belt.
The halves pairing of Lachlan Lam and Kyle Laybutt provide the creative spark, with Lam a standout performer for Leigh Leopards in Super League and Laybutt a regular for the Kumuls despite limited NRL opportunities.
In the pack, Sylvester Namo and Emmanuel Waine bring power and skill, while hooker Edwin Ipape and forward Jack de Belin lend experience and leadership. Rhyse Martin, the prolific goal-kicker for Leeds Rhinos, completes the formidable starting 13.
The bench features a blend of rising stars and seasoned campaigners, including Liam Horne, Jacob Alick, Nixon Putt, and Keven Appo, all of whom have represented Papua New Guinea with distinction.
This dream squad showcases the depth of talent available to the Kumuls, with players plying their trade across the NRL, Super League, and domestic competitions. As the Rugby League World Cup approaches, this lineup will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.
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