The Australian Rugby League Commission and the Prime Minister the Hon Anthony Albanese MP have announced the Australian Men's and Women's Prime Minister's XIII squads to take on PNG PM's XIII teams at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby, on Sunday, October 13.
The Men's Prime Minister's XIII will be captained by departing South Sydney Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook and will include some of the best up-and-coming players in the game including Fletcher Sharpe (Newcastle Knights), Lachlan Galvin (Wests Tigers), Tallis Duncan (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Dylan Lucas (Newcastle Knights) and Kaeo Weekes (Canberra Raiders).
The Women's Prime Minister's XIII will be captained by Jillaroos champion Kezie Apps (Wests Tigers) and will also feature Jaime Chapman (Gold Coast Titans), Teagan Berry (St George Illawarra) and Lauren Brown (Gold Coast Titans).
"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 Albanese said.
"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."
ARLC Chairman Peter V'landys AM congratulated all players on their selection in a special team.
"The players chosen are some of the best and brightest in the game, and they get to wear the green and gold with pride," Mr V'landys said.
"Not only do they get to represent their country, they also have the opportunity to be ambassadors for the game, to change lives.
"On behalf of the Commission, I congratulate the players on their selection in a special team."
With Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga in camp with the Australian squad, the Men's PM'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," Fittler said.
"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."
Former Jillaroo Jess Skinner will take charge of the Australian Women's PM'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 said.
The 2024 Australian Men's Prime Minister's XIII is as follows (in alphabetical order):
Luke Brooks (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Ethan Bullemor (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Nat Butcher (Sydney Roosters)
Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - captain
Tallis Duncan (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Beau Fermor (Gold Coast Titans)
Jamal Fogarty (Canberra Raiders)
Lachlan Galvin (Wests Tigers)
Reuben Garrick (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Kobe Hetherington (Brisbane Broncos)
Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Gold Coast Titans)
Jacob Liddle (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Dylan Lucas (Newcastle Knights)
Sam McIntyre (North Queensland Cowboys)
Sean Russell (Parramatta Eels)
Xavier Savage (Canberra Raiders)
Alex Seyfarth (Wests Tigers)
Fletcher Sharpe (Newcastle Knights)
Kaeo Weekes (Canberra Raiders)
Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders)
The 2024 Australian Women's Prime Minister's XIII is as follows (in alphabetical order):
Kezie Apps (Wests Tigers) - captain
Shaylee Bent (Gold Coast Titans)
Teagan Berry (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Krystal Blackwell (North Queensland Cowboys)
Lauren Brown (Gold Coast Titans)
Keele Browne (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Jaime Chapman (Gold Coast Titans)
Bree Chester (North Queensland Cowboys)
Abbi Church (Parramatta Eels)
Kirra Dibb (North Queensland Cowboys)
Sophie Holyman (Canberra Raiders)
Grace Kemp (Canberra Raiders)
Ella Koster (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Emma Manzelmann (North Queensland Cowboys)
Rory Owen (Parramatta Eels)
Lily Peacock (North Queensland Cowboys)
Kasey Reh (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Monalisa Soliola (Canberra Raiders)
Jesse Southwell (Newcastle Knights)
Chante Temara (Canberra Raiders)
