Mal Meninga has named six debutants as part of the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII to take on Papua New Guinea Prime Minister’s XIII in Port Moresby on Saturday, September 24.
James Tedesco, Semi Radradra, Mitchell Moses, Tyson Frizell, Josh Jackson and David Klemmer will take their place in the team travelling to PNG next week, with the match to be played at the National Football Stadium in the nation’s capital.
The full squad features a majority of current representative players, with Meninga confirming the match would provide an opportunity for players to push for selection ahead of the Four Nations tour at the end of this year and the Rugby League World Cup next year.
"This is an outstanding squad. There are four representatives from the Test match against New Zealand and on top of that, no less than nine of the players were a part of Origin this year,” Meninga said.
“The PNG tours are some of the most enjoyable trips I have been on, but they are no holiday when you run onto the field.
“The PNG boys play a tough and energetic brand of football and they will be well backed by a huge crowd, all willing the home team on.
“Whenever you get the chance to visit and play Rugby League in Port Moresby, it’s a special experience and this game will be no different.”
Rabbitohs captain and Queensland Maroons star Greg Inglis will skipper the Prime Minister’s XIII.
Australian Prime Minister’s XIII:
1. James Tedesco (Wests Tigers)
2. Semi Radradra (Parramatta Eels)
3. Greg Inglis (c) (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
4. Josh Dugan (St George Illawarra Dragons)
5. Blake Ferguson (Sydney Roosters)
6. Mitchell Moses (Wests Tigers)
7. Mitchell Pearce (Sydney Roosters)
8. Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers)
9. Jake Friend (Sydney Roosters)
10. Ryan James (Gold Coast Titans)
11. Boyd Cordner (Sydney Roosters)
12. Tyson Frizell (St George Illawarra Dragons)
13. Josh Jackson (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
14. David Klemmer (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
15. Moses Mbye (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
16. Dylan Napa (Sydney Roosters)
17. Jake Trbojevic (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
18. To be confirmed
Coach: Mal Meninga
