PMs XIII

Murray to lead Australia

The main drawcard will be preceded by the PNGDF and ADF Women’s match at 12 noon before the PNG PM’s 13 Women vs the Australian Women at 2pm.

Whilst all the spotlight has been on the Australian teams since yesterday’s arrival, their PNG counterparts have been hard at training behind the scenes since they assembled in Port Moresby last weekend. 

TEAMS READY TO EMBRACE OCCASION

The rousing welcome reception that was accorded to the Australian teams upon their arrival yesterday was a real testament to the power of rugby league as a unifying sport bringing the two countries together for the first again in 5 years.

After the arrival of the Australian teams in Port Moresby yesterday, a combined media conference was held at the Stanly Hotel for all the captains and coaches.

James makes it into PMs XIII

Mioks five-eight, Garry James, is an all-round footballer with skills that can break open tight games. He proved that in the 2023 finals football.

When his side was on the back-foot, he found a way to get the boys home in the hard-fought battle against Lae Snax Tigers in the preliminary finals. He did the same in the grand final against the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis who were threatening with the opening try.

PNG PMs XIII side named

To be known as the NGCB PM's XIII team, the squad includes three debutants among experienced hands from this year’s Pacific test and the 2017 World Cup teams.

The team was announced in Port Moresby this afternoon.

The team includes three new faces in Daniel Russel, Edene Gabi, and Justin Laybutt.

Notable exclusions from the Pacific Test Team from this year are Adex Wera, Junior Rau, Kurt Baptist, Luke Page, Richard Pandi, Rod Griffin, Thompson Teteh.