Rhyse Martin will enjoy a career swansong on the international stage with Papua New Guinea at the Rugby League World Cup before hanging up his boots.
Martin, 33, will call time on his playing career at the end of the year following the Kumuls’ World Cup campaign, having been named in Jason Demetriou’s final squad. He will then join the PNG Chiefs as football operations manager for 2027.
The back-rower is joined by fellow Super League stars Edwin Ipape, Nene Macdonald and Liam Horne, while Lachlan Lam is not included in a huge blow to the international side. The Leigh Leopards half-back has won 15 caps for PNG to date, scoring seven tries.
London Broncos’ Finley Glare, Epel Kapinias, Robert Mathias, Morea Morea Jnr and Gairo Voro have also been selected.
Former Warrington Wolves centre Rodrick Tai will also represent Papua New Guinea in the tournament Down Under.
NRL stars Jack de Belin, Robert Derby and Zac Laybutt have been named alongside former Castleford Tigers duo Sylvester Namo and Nixon Putt.
The NRL’s leading try-scorer, Alex Johnston, has been ruled out through injury.
Papua New Guinea will open their campaign against Lebanon on Saturday, October 17, before also facing Samoa and England.
Papua New Guinea World Cup squad
Jack de Belin (Parramatta Eels)
Robert Derby (North Queensland Cowboys)
Dudley Dotoi (Townsville Blackhawks)
Josh Feledy (Manly Sea Eagles)
Finley Glare (London Broncos)
Liam Horne (Leigh Leopards)
Edwin Ipape (Leigh Leopards)
Zev John (Central Queensland Capras)
Epel Kapinias (London Broncos)
Bailey Biondi-Odo (Townsville Blackhawks)
Zac Laybutt (North Queensland Cowboys)
Nene Macdonald (St Helens)
Rhyse Martin ( Hull KR )
Robert Mathias (London Broncos)
Morea Morea Jnr (London Broncos)
Luca Moretti (Parramatta Eels)
Sylvester Namo (Brisbane Tigers)
Nixon Putt (Central Queensland Capras)
Rodrick Tai (Central Queensland Capras)
Valentine Richard (PNG Hunters)
Gairo Voro (London Broncos)
Sanny Wabo (PNG Hunters)
Khaiya Waiembi (PNG Hunters)