Ok,
when you are on the public game page click "Back to Main Page" (at the top left).. It will bring you to a menu page.. Click "Logout" at the bottom.. Then it will ask you to sign in with your novaworld account name and password. It will bring you back to the "menu page" (logged in).. then just click on "public games"..
Yes, nw could of made the navigation to the login screen a little better. It confuses alot of players..