The stadium in Port Moresby which will host the PM’s games this Sunday. Picture: DFAT
The Australian PM’s XIII men’s and women’s rugby league squads to take on their PNG counterparts this weekend have been named.
The games will be held at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby, this Sunday (October 13).
The men’s squad will be led by South Sydney Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook while the women will be led by Jillaroos champion Kezie Apps (Wests Tigers).
“These games represent far more than just a couple of games of footy for up-and-coming stars. It’s an important chance to share our love of the game with PNG – our closest neighbour and dear friends,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says.
“It’s a great thrill to have one of my favourite Rabbitohs as captain of the men’s team, and I look forward to Damien Cook and Wests Tigers’ Kezie Apps leading their talented PM’s XIII squads in Port Moresby.”
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys says the players “get to wear the green and gold with pride”.
“Not only do they get to represent their country (but) they also have the opportunity to be ambassadors for the game, to change lives.”
The men’s XIII will be coached by Test legend Brad Fittler.
“We have some incredibly talented players making their debuts in the green and gold. I’m excited to see what they can do at this level, giving us a real eye to the future,” he says.
“This is an important camp not only for the players who will be testing themselves at this level but also being ambassadors for the game in PNG.”
Women’s Indigenous All Stars coach Jess Skinner will take charge of the women’s XIII with Jillaroos coach Brad Donald in camp.
“The team features some real experience with Kezie Apps and Lauren Brown alongside some young players who will be pushing for representative honours well into the future,” Skinner says.
SQUADS
Men: Luke Brooks and Ethan Bullemor (Sea Eagles), Nat Butcher (Roosters), Damien Cook and Tallis Duncan (Rabbitohs), Beau Fermor (Titans), Jamal Fogarty (Raiders), Lachlan Galvin (Tigers), Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles), Kobe Hetherington (Broncos), Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Titans), Jacob Liddle (Dragons), Dylan Lucas (Knights), Sam McIntyre (Cowboys), Sean Russell (Eels), Xavier Savage (Raiders), Alex Seyfarth (Tigers), Fletcher Sharpe (Knights), Kaeo Weekes and Hudson Young (Raiders).
Women: Kezie Apps (Tigers), Shaylee Bent (Titans), Teagan Berry (Dragons), Krystal Blackwell (Cowboys), Lauren Brown (Titans), Keele Browne (Dragons),
Jaime Chapman (Titans), Bree Chester (Cowboys), Abbi Church (Eels), Kirra Dibb (Cowboys), Sophie Holyman and Grace Kemp (Raiders), Ella Koster (Dragons),
Emma Manzelmann (Cowboys), Rory Owen (Eels), Lily Peacock (Cowboys), Kasey Reh (Dragons), Monalisa Soliola (Raiders), Jesse Southwell (Knights) and Chante Temara (Raiders).
