PNG Chiefs signings Gairo Voro, Morea Morea, Finley Glare, Jarome Luai and Brian To’o have all been selected to take part in the upcoming 2026 Rugby League World Cup which kicks off in Australia on Thursday, October 15.
Development players Voro, Morea and Glare have all been selected by PNG Kumuls Coach Jason Demetriou as the side prepares to open their campaign with two blockbuster home matches in Port Moresby on Saturday, October 17 against Lebanon and Saturday, October 24 against Samoa.
The match against Samoa will feature two further future PNG Chiefs players with Luai (#001) and To’o (#006) both named for the Pacific powerhouse.
The leading try-scorer in NRL history and PNG Chiefs signing #002, Alex Johnston had been in line to represent the Kumuls but was unavailable for selection after undergoing off-season knee surgery.
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Rhyse Martin – who will join the club in 2027 as its Football Operations Manager – will also line up for the PNG national side as he prepares to call time on an illustrious career, which has included 21 Test matches since making his international debut in 2014.
Papua New Guinea have been named in Pool C alongside France and Tonga while Samoa will feature in Pool B alongside England and Lebanon.
After their three group stage games, the two highest ranking teams from a combined Pool B/C ladder will progress through to the knockout rounds.
The final for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup will be held in Brisbane on Sunday, November 15.
See the full list of players selected for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup here.
2026 Rugby League World Cup group stage matches
Friday, October 16 – Samoa v France, CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Saturday, October 17 – Papua New Guinea v Lebanon, Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Saturday, October 24 – Papua New Guinea v Samoa, Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Friday, October 30 – England v Papua New Guinea, WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Sunday, November 1 – Tonga v Samoa, CommBank Stadium, Sydney
View the full 2026 Rugby League World Cup schedule here.