JDB embraces PNG: Big hits, big emotion, big dreams

For Jack De Belin it’s easy to explain what pulling on the Kumuls jersey means to him. 

“It took me a while to feel comfortable enough to do it but it’s probably one of the best football-related decisions I’ve ever made,” said De Belin, who has played eight times for PNG since debuting in 2023 against Cook Islands.

“I’ve absolutely loved every minute of it – it’s been an extremely humbling experience. 

“It’s not necessarily about improvements in my football as that comes by just playing regularly. 

“But it’s about giving back... for someone who has played NRL for a long time (14 seasons) I love being able to share my experience and knowledge to help the game in PNG. 

“I’ve tried to play my part by passing that on to the younger players and help them be as strong as they can."

De Belin has an excellent strike rate in his eight Tests so far, winning six of them, including a 50-18 triumph over Fiji in last year's Pacific Bowl.

He’s after a seventh victory when the Kumuls host Lebanon on Saturday to open their 2026 World Cup campaign, but the challenge is a little steeper without Lachlan Lam (wrist surgery) and Cooper Bai (hamstring). 

Regardless, De Belin said the Kumuls would win games with their style of play. 

“Some class and very powerful is how I’d describe it,” he said.  

“I wouldn’t say it’s a rock or diamonds sort of situation but it’d be fair to say playing the long possession game is not the essence of Papua New Guinea rugby league. 

It’s flashy, fast, off-loading, chaotic, big hits, so it’s a great spectacle as we roll down the field

“But if that style isn’t working it can also be very frustrating. We just need that consistency over 80 minutes.” 

Lebanon also presents an unknown package since the two nations have not met before, despite PNG’s proud history of six World Cups including a quarter-final appearance in 2022. 

The Cedars also made the quarter-finals with a 48-4 loss to eventual champions Australia. 

But they are also without the starting halves from that match in Adam Doueiji (injured) and Mitch Moses (Kangaroos). 

However they have a new strike weapon in Manly winger Jason Saab, who was raised by his Indigenous mother Alysia and Lebanese stepfather, Pierre Saab. 

“It’s very special as all my family are Lebanese and I was raised in Lebanese culture,” Saab said. 

“People don’t know the extent of my ties there and I don’t go around telling people either. 

“Now I get to represent a culture that has moulded the person I am today. I want to repay that to my family and to the Lebanese community.” 

With 88 tries in 129 NRL games there’s a good chance Saab can put points on the board. 

He is also relishing the chance to play alongside Bulldogs’ Jacob Kiraz, the fullback in 2022, and Wests Tigers forward Alex Twal. 

“They are both really tough players and they’ve spoken so well about what it means to play for Lebanon,” Saab said. 

“They both epitomise that to a tee... to go out there with those two is something I’m looking forward to.” 

The chance to work with Roosters 2026 premiership-winning assistant coach and former Wallabies mentor, Michael Cheika, will be another highlight. 

“Cheiks is so awesome. He’s done so much, winning comps in union, coaching Australia, Argentina, and just won the comp with the Chooks," said Saab.

“He knows how to get the boys going, connect us to our culture, but also get them to have some fun.  

“He’s very balanced in all of that.” 

Another thing Saab is certain of is where his debut Lebanon jersey will be residing.

“My parents have kept all my jerseys – my debut NRL jersey, my 100th jersey – so I’m keeping this one," he said.

“It’s staying in my house; my man-cave; it’s mine."

Although he might relent and give it to his grandparents, who fled civil war in Lebanon in the 1970s to raise their family. 

“They will be the most proud probably on Saturday,” Saab said.