Edwin Ipape and Liam Horne have both been selected to represent Papua New Guinea at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in Australia.

The Leigh Leopards duo have been named in the Kumuls squad for the tournament, which gets underway later this month.

For Horne, the selection represents a landmark moment in his career, with the hooker set to make his Rugby League World Cup debut.

The 28-year-old said: “So grateful to get the call up for my first World Cup, can’t wait to get in camp with the boys.”

Horne has enjoyed an impressive first season in Leopard print, establishing himself as an important part of Adrian Lam’s squad.

Ipape will meanwhile make his second World Cup appearance, having represented the Kumuls at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England.

The powerful hooker has once again been recognised for his performances at the highest level, adding another international honour to his career with both Leigh and Papua New Guinea.

Speaking on his selection, Ipape said: “I’m really excited to represent my country at the World Cup. It’s a great group and I’m excited to see what we can achieve.”

LAM TO UNDERGO SURGERY

While Ipape and Horne prepare to represent the Kumuls, Lachlan Lam has made the difficult decision to declare himself unavailable for selection for the World Cup as he prepares to undergo surgery.

Lam has played the second half of the 2026 season while managing an injury and was advised by a specialist that an operation would be required.

The timing of that operation presented Lachlan with an incredibly difficult decision.

Like his father, PNG rugby league legend Adrian Lam, representing Papua New Guinea is something that means an enormous amount to Lachlan. However, delaying the surgery until after the World Cup could have meant missing a significant number of the opening rounds of the 2027 Betfred Super League season.

After careful consideration, Lachlan has therefore made the decision to undergo the procedure as soon as possible, with the aim of giving himself the best possible chance of being fit and available for Round One of the 2027 Betfred Super League season, as well as the Club’s highly anticipated Round Three trip to Las Vegas.

It means Lam will miss the opportunity to represent the Kumuls at this year’s World Cup, but the decision gives him the clearest possible rehabilitation window ahead of the new Super League season.

Club owner Derek Beaumont said:

“With World Cups only taking place every four years, they are special and rare opportunities, particularly given the average length of a playing career at international level, and to that end, I would always want to give everyone the opportunity to play when selected.

“Lokie could easily have downed tools and put his body first earlier this season and had the operation so he was fit to play in the World Cup, but he respected the significant investment the town and the Club make in him, and his importance on the field, and played on tough with temporary medical intervention to assist.

“Therefore, to repay that, I had made a special dispensation that he could delay his required operation so he could play in the World Cup and represent his country, with the operation funded by the Club in Australia immediately after his involvement ended.

“We had a good meeting around this, and he discussed the timelines and how it could impact his start to what we want to be a significant year for the Club, as well as the obvious attraction of the Vegas fixture.

“He wasn’t definitive, and I told him to consider everything over a period of time with his family, and we would support whatever decision he made.

“I am sure it was a very tough decision for him to make, but he deserves the utmost respect that he has again put the Club first and has a firm focus on achieving the significant goals we have set for ourselves in 2027.

“I am fortunate enough to be attending most of the games in Australia, and I am looking forward to watching Edwin and Liam, whilst obviously supporting England in our fixture against them.

“I am also looking forward to meeting up with many friends who have been involved in the Club in the past, and I will be taking my favourite pen with me, as we still have a bit of significant business to do with the two overseas spots we have available.”

Everyone at Leigh Leopards fully supports Lachlan’s decision and wishes him the very best with his surgery and rehabilitation.

The Club would also like to congratulate Edwin and Liam on their selection and wish the pair the very best of luck with the Kumuls at the World Cup.