Super League star a shock absentee from Papua New Guinea World Cup squad as London Broncos dominate

Lachlan Lam has been omitted from Papua New Guinea's 23-man Rugby League World Cup squad in an unexpected absence for the Kumuls' starting playmaker. Meanwhile, Championship winners London Broncos feature heavily, with head coach Jason Demetriou selecting five of his club's players, including Championship Player of the Year Gairo Voro, Finley Glare, Epel Kapinias, Robert Mathias, and Morea Morea.

The squad also features four Super League players, including Leigh Leopards pair Edwin Ipape and Liam Horne, St Helens back Nene Macdonald, and Hull KR forward Rhyse Martin, who will captain the side before retiring. PNG opens their tournament against Lebanon before group fixtures against Samoa and England.