The Mole: Papua New Guinea 'cult hero' Judah Rimbu puts pen to paper on Perth Bears deal
The Perth Bears are set to land their first 'name' player with Papua New Guinea Test hooker Judah Rimbu poised to join the new franchise in 2027.
A cult hero in his league-crazy homeland, Rimbu has agreed to a train and trial deal with the Bears in 2027 and is expected to land a full time contract as a result.
The 24-year-old ball-player, who is also quick enough to play halfback, has played six Tests for the Kumuls and is regarded among the best players in the national team.
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Rimbu first caught the eye of league scouts in 2024, when he was playing in the Queensland Cup for the PNG Hunters and was awarded the Petero Civoniceva Medal for the competition's player of the year.
He had a brief stint with Castleford in England last year before returning to Queensland, rejoining the Hunters and scoring four tries in nine games.
Judah Rimbu in action with PNG at the Pacific Championships. NRL Imagery
Next season he will play with Easts Tigers in Brisbane, who are a feeder club for the Perth franchise as they prepare for their much-anticipated first season in 2027.
He will then travel across the Nullarbor and join coach Mal Meninga and the squad and chase a full time NRL contract.
Last week, Wide World of Sports reported an unknown young winger from Penrith, Hendrix Tapiki, was Perth's first signing but Rimbu has experience at the game's top level and will ensure thousands of Kumul fans support Perth in 2027.
