PNG/AUSSIE PM’S XIII SQUADS CONFIRMED

THE Australian Rugby League Commission or ARLC and the Australian Prime Minister the Hon Anthony Albanese MP have today announced the Australian Men’s and Women’s Prime Minister’s XIII squads to take on PNG PM’s XIII teams next Saturday.

While in Port Moresby, the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) named the Prime Minister’s XIII Men and Women’s select sides this week, for their respective clashes against Australia on Saturday, 3 October at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

PNGRFL Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Hondina, said: “The Prime Minister’s XIII is an important annual fixture for Papua New Guinea, and we are pleased to once again welcome Australia to Port Moresby.

This fixture is more than just a game of footy. It reflects the strong bilateral relationship between our two countries — from government to government and country to country, but more importantly, the strong people-to-people connections we share.

“Most of the players and staff selected have come through our national domestic competitions, and that is something PNGRFL is very proud of.

It reflects the investment we have made in our pathways systems over the past few years and the progress we are beginning to see.

Hondina Congratulated all the players selected in the men’s and women’s sides, as well as the coaches and support staff who will lead them next week Saturday for the match.

Leading the side is Wellington Albert, who is in his first season as Head Coach of the Port Moresby Vipers in the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup. The appointment also marks Albert’s first opportunity to coach the Prime Minister’s XIII Men.