PNG Kumuls Star Zac Labutt re-sign with Cowboys
PNG Kumuls center Zac Laybutt has been promoted to the Top 30 rooster of the North Queensland Cowboys, which will see him stay with the club for the next two seasons in 2024 and 2025.
Laybutt, the younger brother of Kumuls skipper and five-eight Kyle, was initially on a train and replacement contract this year, however his strong work ethics and commitment to the club has earned him the contract extension, despite only making four appearances in the Cowboys jumper in 2023 season.
The 21-year-old center made his Kumul Test debut this year, appeared in all three-matches including playing alongside his elder sibling, where they both celebrated the Pacific Championship Bowl final, defeating the NRL-inspired Fiji Bati (32-12) side, earlier in Port Moresby.
Zac grew up in Bundaberg before relocating to North Queensland to join the Cowboys Young Guns in 2021 and made his maiden NRL debut in round 13 against Paramatta Eels and further on scored two impressive tries in the final round of the season (round 26) against The Dolphins.
The Kumul no. 311 will be with the Queensland-based club for the next two-seasons where his older brother Kyle was once a member on the Cowboys team (no.265) after debuting for the 2015 NRL premiership side in the round 15 of 2017 season.
“Zac is a tremendously talented young player, but what he was able to achieve last year exceeded the already high expectations we had for him,” Cowboys General Manager of Football Micheal Luck said.
“What was most impressive was how he handled the step up through the grades from under 21s to Queensland Cup to the NRL and he looked comfortable with every progression.
“Zac is a very coachable young player who came into first grade as a centre, but he also has the ability to play five-eighth or fullback.
“We’re thrilled to have secured Zac for another year, he makes our club a better place and we look forward to seeing him progress.”
Zac has a greater chance of playing at the position he prefers, due to the departure of the first-choice center Peta Hiku to the Super League next season and also has an opportunity to playing along side his fellow Kumul Robert Derby.
Kalang News / PNG Today
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