Robert Derby

Robert Derby (born 7 March 2002) is a Papua New Guinea international rugby league footballer who plays as a er for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Background
Derby was born in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and lived in Mendi, Goroka, Mount Hagen and Vietnam before moving to Cairns when he was eight years old.

He played his junior rugby league for Cairns Brothers and completed the majority of his schooling at St Augustine's College.

In 2019, he was signed by the Melbourne Storm and moved to the Sunshine Coast to play for feeder club Sunshine Coast Falcons. As part of his relocation, he attended Unity College, Caloundra and was a part of the rugby league academy at the school.

Playing career
In 2020, Derby joined the Sunshine Coast Falcons, playing just one Mal Meninga Cup game before the season was cancelled due to COVID-19.

In 2021, he returned to Cairns, joining the Northern Pride's under-21 side and the North Queensland Cowboys Young Guns squad.

In 2022, Derby spent the season playing for the Pride's Queensland Cup side, scoring seven tries in 16 games. On 25 June 2022, he made his international debut for Papua New Guinea in their 24-14 victory over Fiji.

On 16 November 2022, Derby joined the Cowboys' NRL squad for the 2023 season.

2023
Derby began the season playing for the Townsville Blackhawks in the Queensland Cup. In round 13 of the 2023 NRL season, Derby made his first grade debut against the Parramatta Eels.