Kumul Center maintains Cowboys no. 4 spot

Papua New Guinea international Zac Laybutt has retained his center position in Cowboys unchanged lineup for NRL round 2 against Newcastle Knights after an impressive game last week.

Laybutt scored a double in Cowboys 43-18 thumping over Dolphins and looks promising to seal the no.4 spot after a striking season launch last week.

The PNG Kumuls centre pronounced his long-term stay in the top-flight competition with a vigorous two-try showing on Sunday, impressing Cowboys coach Todd Payten to keep him in the unchanged side.

Payten spoke highly of the young gun and his on the verge of cementing a long term deal.

“I think he can play for our club for a long time, as long as he keeps his heads down, works hard,” Payten said of the PNG strike centre.

“His worked really hard through this off-season break.

“Started a couple of weeks behind everyone because he went on representative duties and after two or three weeks he got himself super fit, got his nose in front for that position, and it’s his to lose.”

Laybutt had a lot of catch up to do after joining Cowboys late in pre-season stint but made his way through with sheer determination and hard work, announcing himself as a suitable replacement for departing centre Peta Hiku.

The younger brother of PNG Kumuls skipper Kyle Laybutt produced 175 running metres and a try assist, setting up veteran winger Kyle Feldt in the first stanza.

After last weekend’s double, Laybutt has now scored 5 tries in five NRL appearances with the tally expected to rise.

The 22-year-old was also instrumental in Kumuls triumph in Pacific Championships playing alongside his elder brother and captain Kyle last year.

With the young sensation making a magnificent start in NRL, Laybutt would likely be a regular starter in Payten’s lineup.