Prime Minister's XIII

The PNG PM’s 13 side who got on the front foot early with a try through Nene MacDonald to lead 6-0 before the Aussies got into the rhythm.

PNG Kumuls, however, kept themselves in the grind contesting in every phase of attack and defense forcing the Australian Kangaroos to work overtime to defend the scoreboard after scoring back-to-back tries to take the lead 12-6.

Leading by just six as the closing minutes approached, it was only a Tyrell Sloan try just before full-time that secured victory for the visitors, who made 17 errors across the match and struggled to shake off PNG as a result. 

Despite fielding only a handful of players with NRL experience – in comparison to Australia who had eight World Cup winners and 12 players who appeared at Origin level this year in their squad – PNG were right in the contest for the first hour and had Australia sweating before their late flurry of points. 

The Australian contingent flew in on a RAAF aircraft this afternoon, including the Australian Defence Force men's and women’s teams.

The Royal Australian Air Force plane carrying the teams touched down at Jackson’s International Airport just after 3 p.m. this afternoon. However, it took almost an hour at least before the teams actually made their exit through the main international terminal front door very much to the roar of the cheering fans who could only watch from the main car park.

Rop was part of the 2016 PM’s 13 side that went down to Australia 58 nil.

Ironically, the biggest highlight of that match was Jnr Rop’s kamikaze-style hit on an Australian opponent that took the wind out of his sails for the remainder of the contest. It brought the whole stadium down.

Rop’s return to the Hunters this year has been impressive and consistent. Although it’s been a long 7 years since his memorable 2016 hit, Rop has lost nothing in terms of passion, energy and class to keep going in leading the young playing group this year.

PNGRFL CEO Stanley Hondina gave a preview of what the official program would look like and the processes involved.

He said the Australian High Commission through ADF and NRL working committees of both PNG and Australia are taking care of proceedings before, during and after the event this weekend.

Hondina said the Kangaroos, Junior Kangaroos, Jillaroos and Junior Jillaroos will be arriving on an Australian Air Force plane this Thursday. A media conference follows with the captains of the two teams, at the Stanley hotel.