LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
A young recruit from the Penrith Panthers is set to lead the Junior Kumuls team in a match against the Australian Schoolboys, a team composed of the top emerging rugby league talent from schools in 2025.
In this annual event, five-eighth Ellyjah Birve is gearing up to spearhead the Kumuls in their quest for victory after recently signing a two-year contract with the Panthers.
Birve has made a name for himself by progressing through the Queensland junior representative ranks and was signed by the Panthers after showing impressive skills while playing for the Sunshine Coast Falcons, a feeder club for the Melbourne Storm.
With two of his idols being Johnathan Thurston and Isaiya Katoa, Birve will aim to guide the Papua New Guinea team to an unexpected win against the Australian Schoolboys, who feature talented players such as Darcy Smith, Thomas Dellow, and Cameron Bamblett.
Junior Kumuls Team:
1. Hercules Kondo
2. Araga Eresi
3. Nathaniel Apa
4. Kevin Yako
5. Manase Watt
6. Ellyjah Birve
7. Felix Beki
8. Jabiri Mack
9. Jeffrey Phillip
10. Vane Manuma
11. Geordan Amaiu
12. Joseph Kora
13. David Isaac
Interchange:
14. Ishmael Vaieke
15. Otto Thomas
16. Taufa Taulani
17. Ames John
Reserves:
18. Ryan Martin