The all-star Papua New Guinea 13 currently playing in England including Castleford quartet

English rugby league has been blessed with some incredible talent from Papua New Guinea down the years.

But going into 2025, the talent pool when it comes to Kumuls stars in Super League and the Championship has arguably never been stronger.

A staggering 10 PNG internationals will ply their trade in Super League this year, and with a handful at clubs in the Championship, that got us thinking: how would an all-star Papua New Guinea team based off English-based players alone look?

We think the answer is: pretty handily indeed. Here’s the full team!

1. Nene Macdonald (Salford Red Devils)

We’re starting with one of the real stars of the Kumuls, and a player who excelled in last year’s Pacific Championships: Salford Red Devils superstar Macdonald.

Rumours had suggested he was open to a move back to the NRL in 2025 but Macdonald is back in full training with the Red Devils going into the new Super League season, looking to emulate the form that made him one of the competition’s standout players in 2024.

2. Watson Boas (Doncaster)

The first of three Championship players that help make up this side – and unfortunately, we’ve shunted Doncaster half-back Boas slightly out of position here in order to fit our bigger names in their preferred slots!

3. Rodrick Tai (Warrington Wolves)

One player who is definitely in the right position here, though, is Warrington centre Tai. He grew into his first season in England with the Wire and played a pivotal role in their success under Sam Burgess in 2024.

4. Rhyse Martin (Hull KR)

Martin is one of Papua New Guinea’s greatest-ever players – and he’ll have a new home in Super League in 2025 after making the switch from Leeds Rhinos to Hull KR.

Sure, he’s a back-rower by trade: we know that. But he’s slotted in at centre before in his career and as this team is slightly forward-heavy, it’s needs must!

5. McKenzie Yei (Oldham)

Another player who has been erm, slightly bumped from his normal role! Oldham forward Yei is on the wing here – purely because there aren’t any PNG wingers currently playing in England!

6. Edwin Ipape (Leigh Leopards)

An all-star half-back pairing, and an all-Leigh half-back pairing at that!

Ipape is, of course, a hooker by trade – but we’re pretty sure he’d do a tidy enough job or anyone at half-back. Especially given who his half-back partner is.

7. Lachlan Lam (Leigh Leopards)

A Super League and Papua New Guinea star, there’s no doubting who one of the most integral cogs in this team would be. Lam remains a key figure for Leigh going into 2025.

8. Sylvester Namo (Castleford Tigers)

Into the pack – and a pack that features no fewer than FOUR members of Castleford’s 2025 squad! The Tigers are doubling up as the UK-based capital of PNG rugby league this year, with forward Namo one of that quartet.

9. Judah Rimbu (Castleford Tigers)

And the man at hooker is perhaps the most exciting component of that quartet. Rimbu was courted by a number of Super League clubs but it was Castleford who landed his signature. He comes with plenty of pedigree and an exciting reputation.

10. Emmanuel Waine (Bradford Bulls)

Waine was a Super League player in 2024, and did have admirers about remaining in the competition after catching the eye during his spell with London Broncos.

But in the end, he opted to drop back down to the Championship with Bradford Bulls. He will, however, have hopes of returning to the competition with the Bulls in the years ahead.

11. Dan Russell (Warrington Wolves)

Another new name in the competition in 2025 with Kumuls heritage is forward Dan Russell, who’ll join Tai and become the second PNG international at Warrington.

12. Jeremiah Simbiken (Castleford Tigers)

Castleford Tigers inclusion number three in this team is another new face heading to Super League: back-rower Simbiken.

13. Liam Horne (Castleford Tigers)

And the final player is another Castleford man. Horne is technically a hooker – and a very good one at that. But we’ve slotted him in at loose-forward here given how one of his new Tigers’ team-mates already has the number nine shirt in this side!

And the coach? Leigh Leopards and PNG icon Adrian Lam, of course!

We think that’s a pretty impressive 13. Where would it finish in Super League? Let us know below.

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