Laybutt idolises Lockyer

By PARKER TAMBUA
PAPUA New Guinea Kumuls playmaker Kyle Laybutt says he is modelling his game around Queensland and Brisbane Broncos legend Darren Lockyer — his role model in rugby league.
The Roma-born former Australian international won four premierships with Brisbane, three of which were at fullback culminating in winning the Golden Boot in 2003.
The one-club fullback-turned-playmaker finished with 355 National Rugby League (NRL) matches for the Broncos along with 36 games for the Maroons and 63 Tests for Australia all of which were records when he retired at the end of the 2011 season.
“Growing up in South Queensland, I supported the Broncos as a child,” Laybutt told PNG Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka on Fulltime Reserve on Friday.
“In those years, Lockyer was dominant in the game.
“He is someone I look up to, and a player I try to model my game around. I still think he is the greatest player.”
Meanwhile, the Townsville Blackhawk — who played two NRL matches for the North Queensland Cowboys in 2017 — thanked his parents for their support throughout his rugby league career.
“My parents have made me who I am,” said Laybutt, who has so far played three tests for PNG.
“Dad was my footy coach.
“I pretty much held football in my hand before I could even walk. Rugby league was my whole life and my dad played a key role.
“Also my mother, she has always supported me.
“Always wiping my tears away, washing my clothes and she does that extra stuffs that you don’t see all the time.
“As for my two younger brothers, I try to be a good role model for them. I hope they play for the Kumuls in the future.”
Laybutt qualifies for PNG through his grandmother who was born and raised in Madang before she moved to Australia at the age of 14.