Following the news that ex-Leeds Rhinos and current Hull KR star Rhyse Martin will retire from the sport at the end of the season, we have taken a look at the all-time best XIII of Super League players to represent Papua New Guinea.
In recent history, Martin certainly qualifies to be in the conversation to be classed as the northern hemisphere’s best-ever PNG player, but icons of yesteryear such as Adrian Lam and Stanley Gene would arguably pip him to the ‘all-time’ moniker.
Regardless, the back rower forms part of a star-studded all-time line-up of Super League players to have played for the Kumuls, and with that in mind we have taken a look at what that hypothetical team could look like.
Current greats and icons of seasons gone by are included, and with the emergence of the PNG Chiefs in the NRL, it is incredible to see how much rugby league is growing in the country. It is also interesting to see what the future could look like if the Chiefs become a long-term success.
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All-time Papua New Guinea Super League XIII
Full-back: David Mead
Former Catalans full-back Mead was born in Port Moresby, and represented the Kumuls from 2008 to 2022, including three World Cups..
He played just over 50 games for the Dragons between 2018 and 2020, and with 171 NRL games to his name, he goes down as one of the modern day greats of PNG rugby league.
Wingers: Marcus Bai and John Wilshere
Another PNG-born player, Bai came to Super League in two different stints, first playing for Hull FC in 1996 before moving back to represent Leeds (2004-2005) and Bradford (2006).
One of the deadliest wingers the competition has ever seen, he is one of a few players to win both the NRL and Super League Grand Final.
Wilshere, a star of PNG in the late 1990’s and 2000’s, is a 17-time international and is a 105-time Super League player after representing Warrington, Leigh and Salford.
Centres: Stanley Gene and Nene MacDonald
Whilst primarily a half-back, Gene did also play in the centres in his career so that is where he slots in. Up there as one of the Kumuls’ best ever, his longevity and impact on PNG rugby league cannot be understated.
MacDonald is another Port Moresby-born talent, and after breaking into the NRL moved to England with Leigh in 2022, before then going on to join Leeds, Salford and now St Helens. He is a 21-time Kumul, with his debut coming aged 19 back in 2013.
Halves: Lachlan Lam and Adrian Lam
The father-son duo are heroes of Papua New Guinea, Adrian more so than Lachlan given he is a former player and coach of the national side.
The pair are transforming Leigh into a powerhouse of the Super League, and the same can be said for PNG, with many expecting Lam Jr to join the PNG Chiefs at some point in his career.
Props: Wellington Albert and Neville Costigan
It’s hard to believe, given the strength of other parts of the squad, that PNG haven’t had too many props to grace Super League, or at least ones that made any real impact. However, Albert is a 12-time international and represented Leeds and Widnes in Super League, whilst Costigan is mainly known for his NRL career, where he played 169 games as well as six times for Queensland, but did play for Hull KR back in 2014.
Hooker: Edwin Ipape
PNG have had a number of great hookers over recent years, with the likes of Paul Aiton and James Segeyaro unlucky to miss out. However, Ipape’s impact in Super League and how he has been a key part of the Leigh rebuild puts him as one of the current greats, and he more than deserves an opportunity to showcase his talents in the NRL with the PNG Chiefs, should they want his services.
Back-row: Rhyse Martin and Jason Chan
Moving to Leeds in 2019 from Canterbury Bulldogs, Martin instantly became a fan favourite. Being one of the Rhinos’ most consistent players throughout his time in Blue and Amber, he departed Headingley for Craven Park ahead of 2025.
Martin is the current PNG captain, and will retire after leading his country into another World Cup at the end of the season.
Chan is a 136-time Super League player, having featured for Celtic Crusaders, Huddersfield and Hull KR. He is also an eight-time Kumul.
Loose forward: Liam Horne
Current Leigh forward Horne can play at both hooker and 13, and has been used interchangeably with Ipape at the Leopards this season.
Another Port Moresby-born talent, he has played for PNG seven times, and will be looking to add to that tally at the end of the year at the World Cup.
