Papua New Guinea have named five players from the NRL in their 18-man squad to face Fiji in next weekend’s Pacific Test.
The game, which takes place at Parramatta’s Pirtek Stadium, features a healthy contingent of stars from Australia’s elite competition – including winger David Mead, who returns to the PNG setup for the first time since the 2013 World Cup.
Gold Coast star Mead, who is on the wings with fellow Titans back Nene Macdonald, admits he has never stopped thinking about playing for PNG and says he’d love to continue representing the Kumuls in the future.
“My heart is always there with PNG, being from there and living for 12 years there,” Mead told NRL.com
“I know how much people love their rugby league up there so if that wasn’t to affect anything moving forward then I’d like to go with them.”
PNG team to play Fiji at Pirtek Stadium on Saturday, May 7: 1. David Mead (Titans), 2. Justin Olam (Hunters), 3. Kato Ottio (Raiders), 4. Nene Macdonald (Titans), 5. Stargroth Amean (Hunters), 6. Ase Boas (Hunters), 7. Watson Boas (Hunters), 8. Luke Page (Burleigh Bears), 9. Wartovo Puara Jnr (Hunters), 10. Henry Noki (Hunters), 11. Rhyse Martin (Townsville Blackhawks), 12. Rod Griffin (Wests Tigers), 13. Adam Korave (Hunters). Interchange: 14. Adex Wera (Hunters), 15. Brandy Peter (Hunters), 16. Willie Minoga (Townsville Blackhawks), 17. Kurt Baptiste (Raiders), 18. Timothy Lomai (Hunters).
