Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has unveiled his Prime Minister's XIII for the upcoming trip with Papua New Guinea, with some of the biggest names in the NRL included for the match on September 23rd.
With over half the competition now entering the off-season period, preparations are now underway for the first-ever Pacific Championship next month, which will see Australia face Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand.
Cameron Murray will captain the Aussies when they head to Port Morseby, while young stars Tyrell Sloan and Alofiana Khan-Pereira have also been added.
“This squad is a blend of experience from the World Cup last year, additional State of Origin players from this year, as well as younger players who we would like to see at this level,” Meninga said.
“There was fairly unanimous agreement across the selections and I can’t wait to see this group test themselves in the green and gold.”
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Australia announce Prime Minister's XIII squad
A litany of hopefuls for the Test side in October will be in action against the Kumuls, including former captain Daly Cherry-Evans and World Cup winners including Josh Addo-Carr, Ben Hunt and Reuben Cotter.
Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes has also been included just months after his ill-fated State of Origin debut, while fellow playmakers Tom Dearden and Cody Walker will get a chance to stake their claim for a Kangaroos debut.
| Josh Addo-Carr | Canterbury Bulldogs |
| Daly Cherry-Evans (vc) | Manly Sea Eagles |
| Reuben Cotter | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Tom Dearden | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Tino Fa'asuamaleaui | Gold Coast Titans |
| Emre Guler | Canberra Raiders |
| Ben Hunt | St George Illawarra Dragons |
| Nicho Hynes | Cronulla Sharks |
| Alofiana Khan-Pereira | Gold Coast Titans |
| Zac Lomax | St George Illawarra Dragons |
| Cameron McInnes | Cronulla Sharks |
| Cameron Murray (c) | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Reece Robson | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Tyrell Sloan | St George Illawarra Dragons |
| Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow | Dolphins |
| Murray Taulagi | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Jake Trbojevic | Manly Sea Eagles |
| Cody Walker | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Hudson Young | Canberra Raiders |
The women's team have also confirmed their Prime Minister's XIII squad, which will be captained by Talisha Harden and includes a vast majority of NRLW players from teams set to miss the finals.
| Teagan Berry | St George Illawarra Dragons |
| Kennedy Cherrington (vc) | Parramatta Eels |
| Rueben Cherrington | Parramatta Eels |
| Abbi Church | Parramatta Eels |
| Keisha-Leigh Coolwell | Brisbane Broncos |
| Quincy Dodd | Cronulla Sharks |
| Kayla Fleming | First Nations Gems |
| Tallisha Harden (c) | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Kimberley Hunt | Parramatta Eels |
| Emma Manzelmann | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Jasmin Morrissey | First Nations Gems |
| Rachael Pearson | Parramatta Eels |
| Christian Pio | Wests Tigers |
| China Polada | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Tiana Rafstrand-Smith | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Taneka Todhunter | Parramatta Eels |
| Cassey Tohi-Hiku | Parramatta Eels |
| Botille Vette-Welsh | Wests Tigers |
| Jakiya Whitfield | Wests Tigeers |
| Janelle Williams | Canberra Raiders |
Anthony Albanese said he was pleased to be involved with Meninga in selecting the lineups for both the men's and women's teams.
"I enjoy every part of the job, but a fun part is getting to pick the PM’s XIII sides,” he said.
“These contests represent far more than just a couple of games of footy. Papua New Guinea and Australia are the closest of neighbours and we are the best of friends.
"We are working together to build a more prosperous, stable and peaceful region. Rugby league is an opportunity to celebrate our friendship and strengthen our partnership.
“I am really looking forward to Cam and Tallisha leading out their teams in Port Moresby, and know the contest will be great for the game, a thrill for all the players selected and another important step forward for our region.”