The Australian Prime Minister, Hon. Scott Morrison MP, has today announced the Prime Minister’s XIII sides to take part in the upcoming PM’s XIII matches against the Fiji Prime Minister’s side in Suva, Fiji.
It will mark the first occasion the Australian Prime Minister’s men’s and women’s teams have played in Fiji.
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks skipper Wade Graham will captain the men’s side, which includes 12 debutants.
The squad includes five players to have represented the Australian Kangaroos, with ten players taking part in this year’s 2019 Holden State of Origin Series.
Mr Morrison said this year’s men’s and women’s squads, which he had put together with respective coaches Mal Meninga and Brad Donald, will have a huge impact on and off the field in Fiji.
“This year’s Prime Minister’s XIII squads focus on youth and experience,” the Prime Minister said.
“I wanted bring together veterans who have served the game well over a number of years with the brightest young talents that have come onto the rugby league scene.
“Mal, Brad and I are confident that we’ve come up with two really strong and well-balanced teams and I’m looking forward to seeing them in action in Fiji.
“And just as importantly as the games is that players, coaches and officials from both teams will be utilising their visit to spread the message of our domestic and family violence campaigns.”
PM’s XIII men’s Coach Mal Meninga said: “The Prime Minister’s XIII match is a key match in the representative calendar for a number of reasons.
“It’s part of the representative pathway that rewards the players strong performances from the Premiership season, as well as showcasing the positive impact rugby league has for communities throughout the Pacific.
“The Prime Minister and I had some discussions recently about the make up of the side and believe we’ve struck a solid balance of youth and experience for next Friday’s fixture in Suva.”
The Australian PM’s XIII Women’s side will be captained by Sydney Roosters and Queensland player Karina Brown.
The side contains a number of NRLW players, with an additional XX playing in the Holden Women’s Origin at North Sydney Oval.
“We had 13 players from last year’s PM’s XIII women’s squad play in the NRLW this year, which shows the elite pathway is truly working,” PM’s XIII Women’s Coach Brad Donald said.
“It’s an incredible opportunity for these women to be on show, empowering communities and women throughout to the Pacific both on and off the field.”
Both teams will travel to Brisbane next Monday (7th October), before departing to Fiji the following day (Tuesday).
The Prime Minister’s XIII men’s and women’s squads are supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Australian PM’s XIII Men’s Squad
Clint Gutherson
Parramatta Eels
Kyle Feldt
North Queensland Cowboys
Paul Momirovski
Wests Tigers
Brad Parker
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Blake Ferguson
Parramatta Eels
Cody Walker
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Mitchell Moses
Parramatta Eels
Paul Vaughan
St George Illawarra Dragons
Ben Hunt
St George Illawarra Dragons
Payne Haas
Brisbane Broncos
Wade Graham ©
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Tyson Frizell
St George Illawarra Dragons
Jake Trbojevic
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Jai Arrow
Gold Coast Titans
Reuben Garrick
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
David Fifita
Brisbane Broncos
Reed Mahoney
Parramatta Eels
Nathan Brown
Parramatta Eels
Chad Townsend
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Thomas Flegler
Brisbane Broncos
Coach: Mal Meninga
Australian PM’s XIII Women’s Squad
Tess Staines
Riverina
Brydie Parker
Sydney Roosters
Patricia Raikadroka
Mounties
Shanice Parker
Sydney Roosters
Karina Brown ©
Sydney Roosters
Tayla Preston
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Quincy Dodd
Sydney Roosters
Samantha Economos
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
Michaela Peck
West Brisbane Panthers
Taimane Levu
Brothers Ipswich
Kaitlyn Phillips
Mounties
Jasmine Allende
Sydney Roosters
Caitlan Johnston
Sydney Roosters
Brydie Parker
Sydney Roosters
Laken Paitai
Burleigh Bears
Kaarla Cowan
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Brianna Clark
West Brisbane Panthers
Christian Pio
St Mary’s Saints
Kristine Vaalepu
West Brisbane Panthers
Asipau Mafi
West Brisbane Panthers
Coach: Brad Donald
