David Mead

The incumbent PNG LNG Kumuls captain will be assisted by James Segeyaro, who captained the Pacific Test in July during Mead's absence.

During their joint training with the PNG Orchids yesterday, Mead expressed his excitement at being back in camp.

The 2017 World Cup skipper was not considered for the Pacific Test selection in July as he was playing in the UK Super League.

“It’s a huge honour to be named captain for your country so I’ll make sure I prepare really well this week and give my best for the team,” he said.

A passionate Papua New Guinean who at one time in his career was disillusioned with the state of the game in PNG, Mead will have the honour of leading the Kumuls out for the first World Cup game ever played in PNG in front of a crowd that may be just as big outside the ground as the 25,000 who will create a deafening atmosphere from within.

Not only will Mead start the match against the Rabbitohs tonight after Jordan Kahu was withdrawn with a groin issue, he has some big news off the field.

Mead last night re-signed with the Broncos for another season, meaning he will be at the club until at least the end of 2018.

Mead joined the Broncos from the Gold Coast Titans at the end of last year.

On the day of the big game against the Rabbitohs, Mead said he is excited about staying with Broncos for another season.

Mead said he is excited about the challenge of making the team.

The winger's scans came back clear after he was forced off the field on Monday following a knee clash with a teammate, the club announced on Thursday.

"He may have to be kept out of a session or two, but we expect he will be right to play in the trials," high performance manager Jeremy Hickmans said.

One of the longest-serving members of the Titans and the club's all-time leading try-scorer, Mead advised teammates that he would be joining Brisbane on a one-year deal immediately after the Broncos ended their season in the elimination final last Friday.

He followed that up with an Instagram post on the Saturday morning confirming the move but has declined the opportunity to speak about his decision until now.

Both teams will be playing international tournaments on home soil in the coming days.

The PNG men’s soccer team is among eight countries that will be participating in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Nations Cup over the next three weeks.

PNG Barramundis will be playing against Kenya in the ICC World Cricket League Championship on Saturday May 28 and on the 30th.

“Good luck to David Muta and the National Men’s Soccer team during the OFC matches over the next three weeks.