The Prime Minister’s XIII has been named for a crucial selection clash ahead of the World Cup, with Mal Meninga set to lead an interesting mix of experience and fresh faces against PNG.
With the World Cup starting in October, the team will face a PNG PM’s XIII at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, September 25.
The team features NRL superstars like Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans alongside Bulldogs’ kicking supremo Matt Burton in the halves, but also includes a raft of youngsters like 19-year-old Jojo Fifita of the Titans – a player who has managed just eight NRL appearances at winger and centre, scoring three tries.
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ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys said in a statement: “The Commission is thrilled to have the PM’s XIII match in Australia for the first time especially ahead of the much anticipated World Cup. The relationship between Australia and PNG is so important to all of us. Both countries have in common a passion for rugby league and I’m looking forward to seeing some of the emerging players alongside the experienced stars on the international stage.”
Coach Mal Meninga said: “I’m very pleased with the squad we have assembled.
“We have a mix of youth and experience. We have players who have represented the Kangaroos before, along with others who I am looking forward to seeing for the first time at this level.
“This will be an important match for us in the lead-up to the World Cup and I’m eager to see what all these players are able to achieve on this stage.”
The match will take place as part of a stacked weekend of football, with both the men’s and women’s PM’s XIII teams to play PNG, as well as the semi finals of the NRL Women’s Premiership.
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FULL PM’s XIII SQUAD
1. Daine Laurie
2. Josh Addo-Carr
3. Selwyn Cobbo
4. Zac Lomax
5. Jojo Fifita
6. Matt Burton
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
9. Ben Hunt
10. Thomas Flegler
11. Nat Butcher
12. Angus Crichton
13. Josh King
14. Max King
15. Beau Fermor
16. Jake Simpkin
17. Luke Garner
18. Josh Curran
19. Jake Averillo
20. Sam Walker
