{"id":423604,"date":"2026-01-19T17:01:25","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T17:01:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/423604\/"},"modified":"2026-01-19T17:01:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T17:01:25","slug":"nrl-2026-png-kumuls-stars-help-launch-london-broncos-lockyer-era-in-style-with-44-12-challenge-cup-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/423604\/","title":{"rendered":"NRL 2026: PNG Kumuls stars help launch London Broncos’ Lockyer era in style with 44-12 Challenge Cup win"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kumuls centre Alex Max scored a brace of tries as London\u2019s PNG contingent helped launch a new era for the Broncos under the ownership of Darren Lockyer in triumphant fashion.<\/p>\n

Coached by Kumuls mentor Jason Demetriou and featuring five members of the PNG team which won last year\u2019s Pacific Bowl, the Broncos defeated Widnes 44-12 in their opening Championship match at Wimbledon\u2019s Cherry Red Records Stadium.<\/p>\n

Lockyer and Broncos co-owner Grant Wechsel were among the 4380 crowd, which included supporters with Papua New Guinea flags and many other fans watching rugby league in the English capital for the first time.<\/p>\n


\n
\n
\n \"Australian
\n
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\n Australian rugby league great Darren Lockyer and London Broncos co-owner Grant Wechsel celebrate the club’s first win since they took charge.
\n \u00a9SWPix
\n
\n <\/p>\n

\u201cIt was important that we started well because we want them to keep coming back and we want them to bring their mates,\u201d Demetriou said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want London to start aiming for the stars. Now it\u2019s about what we can control and that\u2019s the style of the footy we play to bring people through the gates.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n

Max scored London\u2019s first and last tries as former Rabbitohs and Eels halfback Dean Hawkins steered the Broncos to a convincing win in a man-of-the-match performance.<\/p>\n

Hawkins was among 10 Broncos players making their first appearances for the club, including Kumuls fullback Morea Morea, Max and fellow centre Robert Mathias, prop Epel Kapinias and playmaker Gairo Voro.<\/p>\n


\n
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\n \"Kumuls
\n
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\n Kumuls fullback Morea Morea overcame a nervous first half to star for London in his UK debut.
\n \u00a9SWPix
\n
\n <\/p>\n

Kumuls team-mates Finlay Glare and Jeremiah Simbiken have also made the move to London to play under Demetriou but did not feature against Widnes.<\/p>\n

Glare and Simbiken are expected to play in London’s Challenge Cup match against Wests Warriors on January 25.<\/p>\n

The recruitment of Demetriou and seven members of his PNG squad is part of London’s plan to win promotion from the Championship to Super League next season and they will also be aiming to make an impact in the Challenge Cup.<\/p>\n


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\n \"London
\n
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\n London Broncos are set to become a favourite team for PNG fans after signing a large contingent of Kumuls stars.
\n \u00a9SWPix
\n
\n <\/p>\n

With so many of the Kumuls playing together, Demetriou will also be able to build combinations and provide the likes of Morea, Glare and Goro with more top-level experience ahead of the upcoming World Cup.<\/p>\n

The London-based contingent would be likely recruitment targets for the PNG Chiefs franchise entering the NRL in 2028.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Broncos were captained by former Kangaroos prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard (ex-Titans, Eels, Panthers) and also included Tongan hooker Saliva Havilli (ex-Rabbitohs, Raiders) and Perth Bears recruits Luke Smith (ex-Bulldogs) and Emarly Bitungane (ex-Cowboys).<\/p>\n

Campbell-Gillard conceded three first half penalties for two high tackles and a shoulder charge, earning the wrath of referee Tara Jones and enabling Widnes to level the scores at 12-12 after Max and Hawkins had scored early tries.<\/p>\n

After leading 16-12 at halftime following a 39th minute try to Mathias, the Broncos produced a more disciplined second half to run away with the match as Hawkins took full control.<\/p>\n


\n
\n
\n \"Former
\n
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\n Former Rabbitohs and Eels halfback Dean Hawkins led London Broncos to an impressive Challenge Cup win against Widnes.
\n \u00a9SWPix
\n
\n <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be an elite level half over here, that\u2019s for sure,\u201d Demetriou told the post match press conference.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cHe has been itching to have his own team, and he has got it now so it is about everyone growing around him as well and I think we will see that in the next few weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

London Broncos 44 (Alex Max 2, Dean Hawkins, Roberth Mathias, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Lewis Bienek, Jimmy Meadows, Elliott Wallis tries; Jack Croft 6 goals) def Widnes 12 (Jordan Johnstone, Sam Wilde tries; Jordan Abdull 2 goals).<\/p>\n

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