Papua New Guinea star to fulfil ‘dream’ in 2024 after confirming Super League move

Papua New Guinea international forward Nixon Putt has confirmed he will play in Super League next season with Castleford Tigers.

Back in May, Rugby League Live reported that the 27-year-old forward was set to sign for the Tigers following an impressive World Cup campaign with the Kumuls last year.

Putt is currently playing for the Central Queensland Capras in the Queensland Cup, a competition in which he has played in for the last seven years.

Castleford have yet to officially announce the signing of Putt, who has made more than 100 appearances in the Queensland Cup, but The National have reported that the back-rower has signed a two-year deal with Castleford from next season, with Putt saying he will get to fulfil his dream of playing the NRL or Super League.

Speaking to The National, Putt said: “I’ve been playing in the Hostplus Cup for seven years and it has always been my dream to play in the NRL or Super League and to finally achieve that is just a great feeling.”

Putt has won 11 caps for Papua New Guinea since making his international debut in 2017. He has represented the Kumuls in the last two World Cups and was part of the PNG Hunters side that won the Queensland Cup back in 2017.

Putt will be the fifth Papua New Guinea international currently in Super League in 2024. Edwin Ipape and Lachlan Lam are currently playing for Leigh, with Nene Macdonald and Rhyse Martin both at Leeds.

There are a couple of Papua New Guinean players in the Championship, too. Wellington Albert and Emmanuel Waine are at London Broncos, whilst James Segeyaro and Keven Appo are currently at Bradford. McKenzie Yei is also playing in the Championship for table toppers Featherstone.

Papua New Guinea players past and present in Super League and Championship

• Paul Aiton (2012-18 – 48 Catalans, 47 Leeds, 47 Wakefield)
• Dion Aiye (2015-present – 181 Whitehaven)
• Makali Aizue (2003-17 – 159 Hull KR, 72 Dewsbury, 58 Halifax, 30 Doncaster)
• Wellington Albert (2018-present – 18 Featherstone, 16 London, 12 Widnes, 6 Leeds, 1 North Wales)
• Stanton Albert (2018 – 1 Widnes, 4 North Wales)
• Stargroth Amean (2019 – 25 Barrow)
• Marcus Bai (1996-2006 – 63 Leeds, 26 Bradford, 8 Hull)
• Kurt Baptiste (2018 – 1 Leigh)
• Ase Boas (2019 – 14 Featherstone)
• Watson Boas (2019-present – 37 Doncaster, 10 Featherstone)
• Jason Chan (2009-14 – 75 Crusaders, 63 Huddersfield, 6 Hull KR)
• Nev Costigan (2014 – 25 Hull KR)
• Israel Eliab (2016 – 8 London Broncos, 6 London Skolars)
• Stanley Gene (1996-2010 – 171 Hull KR, 108 Huddersfield, 35 Hull, 24 Bradford, 11 Halifax)
• Edwin Ipape (2022-present – 27 Leigh)
• Adrian Lam (2001-04 – 119 Wigan)
• Lachlan Lam (2022-present – 9 Leigh)
• Garry Lo (2016-18 – 52 Sheffield, 1 Castleford)
• Nene Macdonald (2022-present – 27 Leigh)
• David Mead (2018-20 – 58 Catalans)
• Mark Mexico (2015-17 – 58 Sheffield, 18 Newcastle)
• Willy Minoga (2019 – 11 Barrow)
• Jessie Joe Parker (2010-21 – 204 Whitehaven, 15 Featherstone)
• Wartovo Puara (2019-20 – 34 Barrow)
• James Segeyaro (2016 – 10 Leeds, 2023 – Bradford)
• Jason Tali (2015-present – 135 Doncaster, 15 Newcastle)
• Thompson Teteh (2019 – 6 Featherstone)
• Charlie Wabo (2009-15 – 42 Hunslet, 18 Newcastle)
• John Wilshere (2004-08 – 110 Salford, 29 Leigh, 8 Warrington)
• Mckenzie Yei (2023-present – 1 Featherstone)
• Menzie Yere (2009-20 – 295 Sheffield, 11 Doncaster)

Stats courtesy of Rugby League Record Keepers Club

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