The Dragons forward has decided to play for the Kumuls despite last year appearing to close the door on ever representing PNG, saying he would “feel like a bit of a fraud”.
Jack de Belin will play for Papua New Guinea in the Pacific Championships after he was unveiled as one of several NRL players in the Kumuls squad.
However he appeared to close the door on ever running out for the Kumuls last year when he admitted he would feel like a fraud playing for the nation. “My nan was born there. She’s not actually Papua New Guinean though, with her heritage ... I’ve got no PNG blood. That’s why I feel like a bit of a fraud in a sense.
He will join Alex Johnston, Justin Olam and Dragons teammate Dan Russell in the Kumuls’ squad, along with former NRL talents Nene MacDonald and Lachlan Lam.Zac Laybutt, his brother Kyle and former Canterbury forward Rhyse Martin are also included in the 21-man squad.