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George Clarke, AAP • November 10th, 2026 3:05 pm
Papua New Guinea star Zac Laybutt has signed with the PNG Chiefs | Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP
The PNG Chiefs have landed their youngest player to date, signing Papua New Guinea international Zac Laybutt from the North Queensland Cowboys.
An eight-time Kumuls representative, Queensland-born Laybutt becomes the eighth member of coach Willie Peters' squad for the Chiefs' inaugural NRL season in 2028.
The 24-year-old, who will be 26 when the Chiefs play their first game in 18 months' time, is also the youngest as he joins a roster that includes Jarome Luai, Joey Manu, Zac Lomax and Brian To'o.
Zac Laybutt will leave the Cowboys to play for the Chiefs in the 2028 NRL season | Photo: AAP
"We are delighted to have signed Zac, and his signing is particularly meaningful for us as we build a club that proudly represents PNG," said PNG Chiefs CEO Lorna McPherson.
"Having Papua New Guinean players like Zac representing the PNG Chiefs will be incredibly important to our identity, and he can help inspire the next generation of rugby league talent in this country by showing what is possible to achieve in the NRL."
After South Sydney winger Alex Johnston, Laybutt is the second Papua New Guinean international to join the Chiefs squad for their maiden season.
The Chiefs have signed three homegrown Papua New Guineans on development deals and are in talks with Canberra's Hudson Young and St Helens halfback Sean O'Sullivan.
