PRIME MINISTER’S XIII RETURNS TO PORT MORESBY FOR 2026 CLASH
RUGBY league fans in Papua New Guinea are set to witness the Prime Minister’s XIII as Papua New Guinea plays host once again to Australia at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
The annual fixture brings together representative players from both countries and has become an important part of the rugby league calendar, providing a platform for emerging and established players to test themselves against high-level opposition.
For Papua New Guinea, the Prime Minister’s XIII represents more than a rugby league fixture. It continues to strengthen the sporting relationship between PNG and Australia while providing opportunities for local players to perform in front of a passionate home crowd.
PNGRFL Chairman Sandis Tsaka said the return of the Prime Minister’s XIII provides an important opportunity to celebrate the relationship between the two countries through rugby league.
“The Prime Minister’s XIII has become an important fixture for both Papua New Guinea and Australia, and we are pleased to welcome our Australian counterparts once again to Port Moresby.
Papua New Guinea’s junior and senior national rugby league teams will feature in a four‑match Prime Minister’s XIII program on Saturday, 3rd October 2026 at the Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby.
- Junior Orchids vs Australian Schoolgirls – 9:00 AM
- Junior Kumuls vs Australian Schoolboys – 10:30 AM
- PNG Orchids vs Australian Women’s Prime Minister’s XIII – 12:15 PM
- PNG Kumuls vs Australian Men’s Prime Minister’s XIII – 2:05 PM
The full‑day program will showcase PNG’s emerging talent through the junior fixtures before the senior Orchids and Kumuls take on their Australian counterparts. The event continues the long‑standing rugby league tradition between the two nations, offering development opportunities for young players while giving fans a chance to see top‑level representative football on home soil.
The Prime Minister’s XIII has been a fixture in PNG since 2005, with women’s matches added in 2017 and junior clashes introduced in 2023. The 2026 edition promises another milestone in strengthening pathways and international rugby league ties.
Rugby league has a unique ability to bring our two countries together, and this event gives us an opportunity to showcase the passion of our people while strengthening the connection between our two rugby league communities.
“It is also an important opportunity for our players to experience representative football at home and for our supporters to see some of the emerging talent from both countries take the field at Santos National Football Stadium.”
