PNG Duo set for NRL debut

Papua New Guinea (PNG) Kumuls and international, Robert Derby and Zac Laybutt, the younger

brother of PNG Kumuls Kyle Laybutt are set to make their first appearance in the National Rugby

League (NRL) tonight as the North Queensland Cowboys take on the Parramatta Eels at

CommBank Stadium.

The duo made it into the round thirteen team list by taking up the call to fill in for Cowboys stars

Tualngi and Holmes, after their positions that were left vacant when they were called to the

Queensland Maroons for the coming State of Origin game.

Derby will play as a winger, replacing Murray Taulangi. Laybutt will fill the shoes of Origin star

Valentine Holmes as he starts as the outside backs.

Both debutees are from the Cowboys Young Guns program. Laybutt moved to the Cowboys

from Bundaberg, while Derby came through Cowboys Cairns Academy.

Meanwhile, PNG International's Sylvester Namo did not make the team list this week. Although

he was named to the extended bench last week, he has not yet taken the field.