Castleford Tigers recruit representing Papua New Guinea with pride in Super League
Liam Horne (right) in action on his international debut for Papua New Guinea in 2022
Castleford Tigers signing Liam Horne says ‘it means everything’ to represent Papua New Guinea on the international stage – and now on the other side of the world.
The 25-year-old made his international debut for Papua New Guinea last year in a 24-14 win over Fiji in a mid-season test in Sydney.
Horne, who has recently linked up with English club Castleford on a deal until the end of 2024, says he is proud to represent his native homeland in both hemispheres.
“It means everything to represent my family back home in PNG,” Horne told Love Rugby League.
“After going back there and seeing how my family have lived and seeing where I come from and to see all the sacrifices my family has made so I can be where I am today…
“Pulling that jersey on, I put the passion into that jersey. They are a bit like the Cas fans actually the fans in PNG, very passionate about their jersey.”
Horne was born in Port Moresby before moving to Australia with his parents at an early age.
“I moved to Australia fairly soon after I was born,” he said.
“My dad was working over there as an electrician and my mum was working on the same job site in the gold mines over there and they brought us back over to Australia and I’ve been living in Brisbane ever since.”
Kumuls connection in Super League
There is a strong Papua New Guinean contingent plying their trade in England at the moment, with the likes of Rhyse Martin and Nene Macdonald (both Leeds) and Edwin Ipape and Lachlan Lam (both Leigh) playing in Super League along with Horne, whilst there are several more Kumuls stars playing in the Championship and League 1.
Horne added: “I’ve played with a few of the boys that are over here at the moment who are playing in the Championship but there’s a few boys playing at Leeds Rhinos in Nene Macdonald and Rhyse Martin and there’s Edwin Ipape, those are a few of the boys that I’ve looked up to over the years and hopefully I’ll get to play with them soon for PNG.”
Horne is hoping to add to his solitary Kumuls cap this autumn when they take part in the Pacific Championships, facing the Cook Islands and Fiji in his birthplace of Port Moresby.
“I’m hoping to get picked and play,” Horne said.
“There was no talk about it (Pacific Championships), I didn’t know it was going to happen and then I found out the news yesterday so I’m excited, hopefully they give me the call.”