Liam Horne, 24, who plays for Norths Devils, will live out a childhood dream when he runs out for the PNG LNG Kumuls against Fiji in Saturday’s Pacific Test.
Born in PNG and raised in Australia, Horne re-visited PNG as an adult for the first time just before the COVID pandemic began.
“My Mum’s from Hula and Gaire (Central Province),” he told PNG Kumuls Media. “I went there in October 2019 for the first time and back again for Christmas that year. It was one of the best times of my life, to be honest. I took my girlfriend back to my village, we stayed there, went fishing and met a lot of my family for the first time since they last saw me as a baby.”
On his Kumuls selection, the 2021 Intrust Super Cup premiership winner says: “I was quite surprised when I got the news but felt really privileged and honoured to be selected.
It means a lot to me and my family. It has been a dream of mine since I was a child. I visioned it, and it has now come true, so I can’t wait to pull on that jersey on Saturday.”
Although Horne has played alongside several Kumuls in the Queensland competition, including Nene Macdonald last year, he says this week is a whole new experience. “Just being with your countrymen, learning about all the different cultures and traditions is amazing. Playing for your country brings the best out of people, and I think it’s going to be a special day on Saturday.”