This year will see five PNG Kumuls, join teams in the English Super League. After the World Cup, teams from England showed interest in these players where they were offered contracts to join.
The first to earn a contract was Kumuls winger, Garry Lo.
He signed with the Castleford Tigers after a successful year with tier 2 club Sheffield Eagles, and after his outstanding performance during the World Cup.
Kumuls Captain, David Mead picked up a 3-year deal with the French club Catalans Dragons after spending a year with the Brisbane Broncos. He will be joining fellow Kumul, Paul Aiton.
Kumuls hooker, Kurt Baptiste who was instrumental during PNG’s campaign in the World Cup and was set to return to the Canberra Raiders but was released by the team. He managed to pick up a one year deal with English Club, Leigh Centurions.
Kato Ottio signed with English Super League club Widnes Vikings, bringing his time with the Raiders to a close. The Vikings than signed Wellington Albert from the SP Hunters
Wellington is the latest PNG player to join a super league team.
Many Papua New Guinean’s have played in the Super League over the years, the most notable being Stanley Gene and Makaili Aizu.
With a handful of PNG internationals currently playing in England’s highest level, we may see more Papua New Guinean’s joining clubs in the Super League.
