PNG Prime Minister's XIII

Last updated

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister's XIII
Team information
Governing body PNGRFL
Head coach Jason Demetriou
Captain Judah Rimbu
Most caps Rodney Pora (8)
Top try-scorer Nickson Kolo
Jessie Joe Nandye
Menzie Yere (3)
Top point-scorer Glen Nami (16)
Uniforms
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body Vwidered.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks hoops black.png
Kit socks long.svg
First colours
Team results
First international
PNG PM's XIII Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg 0–34 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australian PM's XIII
(Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; 18 September 2005)
Biggest defeat
PNG PM's XIII Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg 0–58 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australian PM's XIII
(National Football Stadium, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; 24 September 2016)

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister's XIII, or sometimes informally referred to as the PNG PM's XIII, is the name of a representative rugby league team, comprising Papua New Guinean players from the Papua New Guinea National Rugby League, PNG Hunters and other overseas clubs. The team is selected to play an annual fixture against Australian Prime Minister's XIII in Papua New Guinea in the final weeks of the rugby league season.

Contents

History

The PNG Prime Minister's XIII first played against their Australian counterparts in 2005 at Lloyd Robson Oval in the Papua New Guinean capital, Port Moresby. The team was coached in that match by former national team head coach Bob Bennett. The side has also been coached by former Papua New Guinean internationals Adrian Lam and Stanley Gene and is currently coached by Michael Marum, who played for the team in 2005.

Originally played in Port Moresby, in recent years the games have been held in various locations around Papua New Guinea, including Lae and Kokopo. Unlike regular international matches, each team is allowed a five-man bench and given unlimited interchanges throughout the match.

Originally, the team was made up of players predominantly from the local Papua New Guinea National Rugby League competition. In recent years, players from the National Rugby League, Intrust Super Cup and English Championship have also been selected.

The match is also used to promote rugby league, as well as humanitarian causes such as HIV and AIDS awareness, [1] among the Papua New Guinean community.

The PNG PM's XIII has never won a match against Australia since the annual fixture commenced, but managed a 24–24 draw in 2007, after trailing 20–0 at half time. In 2019, the PNG PM's XIII did not play the Australian side, who instead faced the Fiji Prime Minister's XIII.

Current squad

Men

The team for the match on 12 October 2025 was initially announced on social media on 6 October 2025. [2] The NRL later posted the team. [3]

J#PlayerAgePosition(s)PM's XIIITestsClubClub MatchesOther Reps
MTGFPDbtMTGFPCCNRLSL/CCNQC
1 Nene Macdonald 31 Fullback , Centre 31004201320140056 Redscolours.svg Red Devils 7987521 Queanbeyan United Colours.png 2
2 Robert Derby 23 Wing 100002022760024 North Queensland colours.svg Cowboys 1818042
3Robert Mathias Centre 11004202430000 Port Moresby Vipers Colours.svg Hunters 310031
4Alex Max Centre 1100400000 Port Moresby Vipers Colours.svg Hunters 380038
5Dudley Dotoi22 Wing 1000000000 Townsville Blackhawks colours.png Blackhawks 360036
6Finley Glare Five-eighth , Halfback 1100400000 Port Moresby Vipers Colours.svg Hunters 360036
7 Kyle Laybutt 30 Halfback , Five-eighth 31106201914210028 Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Bulls 020124 Australian Aboriginal Flag.svg 1
8 Epel Kapinias 27 Prop 210042022430012 Port Moresby Vipers Colours.svg Hunters 640074
9 Liam Horne 27 Hooker 10000202260000 Castleford colours.svg Tigers 1804851
10 Sylvester Namo 25 Prop , Second-row 200002022730012 Balmain colours.svg Tigers 902048
11 Jacob Alick 25 Second-row , Prop 000002022100000 Tweedheadscolours.png Seagulls 2219081 Australian Aboriginal Flag.svg 1
12 Nixon Putt 30 Second-row 3000020171340016 Central Comets colours.svg Capras 75013142
13 Jack de Belin 34 Lock , Prop 00000202360000 St. George Illawarra colours.svg Dragons 25325201 New South Wales colours.svg 3 Country colours.svg 2
14 Judah Rimbu 24 Hooker 31004202361004 Port Moresby Vipers Colours.svg Hunters 780978
15 Cooper Bai 18 Lock 0000000 Gold Coast Titans colours.svg Titans 1107
16Ila Alu30 Lock 20000202430000 Port Moresby Vipers Colours.svg Hunters 10600106
17 Valentine Richard Prop 10000202361004 Central Comets colours.svg Capras 150049
18 Jacob Taulani Second-row 0000000000 Newcastle colours.svg Knights 4004
19Morea Morea24 Fullback 2000011004 Central Comets colours.svg Capras 00032
20 Gairo Voro Five-eighth 00000 Port Moresby Vipers Colours.svg Hunters 200020

Notes:

Women

The team for the match on 12 October 2025 was announced on social media on 6 October 2025. [4] The NRL later posted the team. [3]

J#PlayerAgePosition(s)PM's XIIITestsClubClub MatchesOther Reps
MTGFPDbtMTGFPCCNRLSL/CCNQC
1Fleur Ginn19 Centre , Five-eighth 0000000000 Parramatta colours.svg Eels 111100
2Skaylyn Sil Wing 0000000000
De La Salle Caringbah Colours.png
Goroka Lahanis
000
3Relna Wuruki-Hosea20 Wing , Centre 0000000000 Canberra colours.svg Raiders 6607
4Ruth Gende Centre 0000000000 Port Moresby Vipers Colours.svg Port Moresby Vipers 000
5Naomi Kelly Wing 0000000000 Adelaide colours.svg Central Dabaris 000
6India Seeto Five-eighth 0000000000 Balmain colours.svg Tigers 00015
7Caitlin Tanner19 Halfback 0000000000 North Queensland colours.svg Cowboys 00012
8 Elsie Albert 29 Prop 1000020191030012 Parramatta colours.svg Eels 2035015 Waikatoleague.png 3
9Therese Aiton36 Hooker 20000201961004 Toowoomba Clydesdales colours.svg Clydesdales 02035 Waikatoleague.png 2 Queensland colours.svg 1
10 Jessikah Reeves 24 Second-row , Lock 30000202281004 Wests Tigers colours.svg Tigers 38034 Waikatoleague.png 1
11 Sareka Mooka 25 Second-row , Lock 10000202340000 North Queensland colours.svg Cowboys 1212037 Australian Aboriginal Flag.svg 1 Australian colours.svg 1
12 Essay Banu 23 Prop , Second-row 30000202282008 North Queensland colours.svg Cowboys 2020023 Waikatoleague.png 1 Australian Aboriginal Flag.svg 2
13Josephine Howard Lock 0000000000 Port Moresby Vipers Colours.svg Port Moresby Vipers 000
14Delailah Ahose Halfback , Hooker 10000201750000
De La Salle Caringbah Colours.png
Goroka Lahanis
0007 Waikatoleague.png 1
15Gloria Kaupa25 Lock , Prop 300002017120000 Wests Tigers colours.svg Tigers 00016 Waikatoleague.png 1
16Emmogen Taumafai0000000000 Sunshine Coast Colours.svg Falcons 00019
17Leila Kerowa Centre , Second-row 20000202341004 Adelaide colours.svg Central Dabaris 0005
18Marie Biyama0000000000 Toowoomba Clydesdales colours.svg Clydesdales 0007
19Emily Veivers24 Hooker , Second-row 300002022706012 Wigancolours.svg Warriors 001121 Waikatoleague.png 1
20Mala Mark Wing , Fullback 30000201730000 Adelaide colours.svg Central Dabaris 0006
21Belinda Gwasamun28 Centre 300002022850020 Oultoncolours.png Mt Hagen Eagles 00015 Waikatoleague.png 1

Results

2005

18 September 2005
PNG PM's XIII Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg 0 – 34 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australian PM's XIII
Report
Tries
2 Ryan Cross
1 Braith Anasta
1 Brett Finch
1 Kurt Gidley
1 Luke Priddis
Goals
1 Clinton Schifcofske
1 Kurt Gidley
1 Luke Ricketson
Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby
Attendance: 9,000
Referee: Shayne Hayne Flag of Australia (converted).svg
PNG Prime Minister's XIII
2005 squadCoaching staff

Head coach



Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)


2006

30 September 2006
PNG PM's XIII Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg 8 – 28 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australian PM's XIII
Tries
Tom O'Reilly 2
Report
Tries
2 Jarryd Hayne
1 Nathan Merritt
1 Steve Price
1 Brett Stewart
1 Trent Waterhouse
Goals
2 Matt Orford
PNG Prime Minister's XIII
2006 squadCoaching staff

Head coach



Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)


2007

23 September 2007
PNG PM's XIII Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg 24 – 24 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australian PM's XIII
Tries
Nigel Hukula 1
Jessie Joe Nandye 1
Keith Peters 1
Menzie Yere 1
Goals
Gimapau Keimelo 4
Report
Tries
2 Chris Lawrence
2 Joel Monaghan
1 Luke Douglas
Goals
2 Kurt Gidley
Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby
Attendance: 16,000
Referee: Gavin Badger Flag of Australia (converted).svg
PNG Prime Minister's XIII
2007 squadCoaching staff

Head coach



Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)


2008

28 September 2008
PNG PM's XIII Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg 30 – 54 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australian PM's XIII
Tries
Stanley Gene 2
Menzie Yere 2
Nickson Kolo 1
Junior Ropra 1
Goals
Tu'u Maori 3
Report
Tries
2 Jarryd Hayne
2 Chris Lawrence
1 Robbie Farah
1 Nathan Hindmarsh
1 Michael Jennings
1 Josh Morris
1 Joe Picker
1 Carl Webb
Goals
6 Scott Prince
1 Terry Campese
Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Bernard Sutton Flag of Australia (converted).svg
PNG Prime Minister's XIII
2008 squadCoaching staff

Head coach



Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)


2009

27 September 2009
PNG PM's XIII Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg 18 – 42 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australian PM's XIII
Tries
Tommy Butterfield 1
Seigfried Gande 1
Jessie Joe Nandye 1
Goals
Glen Nami 3/3
Report
Tries
3 Michael Jennings
1 George Rose
1 Matthew Scott
1 David Shillington
1 Glenn Stewart
Goals
7/7 Johnathan Thurston
Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Brett Suttor Flag of Australia (converted).svg
PNG Prime Minister's XIII
2009 squadCoaching staff

Head coach



Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)


2010

26 September 2010
PNG PM's XIII Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg 18 – 30 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australian PM's XIII
Tries
Nickson Kolo 2
Glen Nami 1
Goals
Ryan Tongia 3
Report
Tries
1 Luke Douglas
1 Chris Sandow
1 Ben Smith
1 Kade Snowden
1 Willie Tonga
1 Akuila Uate
Goals
2 Corey Parker
1 James Maloney
Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby
Attendance: 10,856
Referee: Tony De Las Heras Flag of Australia (converted).svg
PNG Prime Minister's XIII
2010 squadCoaching staff

Head coach



Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)


2011

25 September 2011
PNG PM's XIII Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg 22 – 36 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australian PM's XIII
Tries
Josiah Abavu 1
Dion Aiye 1
Jessie Joe Nandye 1
Ray Thompson 1
Goals
Glen Nami 3
Report
Tries
2 Blake Ferguson
2 Josh Morris
1 Luke Burt
1 Nathan Merritt
Goals
3 Luke Burt
1 Matthew Bowen
1 Michael Crocker
1 Nathan Hindmarsh
Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium, Lae
Attendance: 16,528
Referee: Adam Devcich Flag of Australia (converted).svg
PNG Prime Minister's XIII
2011 squadCoaching staff

Head coach



Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)


2012

23 September 2012
PNG PM's XIII Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg 18 – 24 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australian PM's XIII
Tries
Richard Kambo 1
David Loko 1
Albert Patak 1
Matthew Puke 1
Goals
Israel Eliab 1/4
Report
Tries
1 Michael Jennings
1 Feleti Mateo
1 Beau Ryan
1 Akuila Uate
Goals
4/4 Scott Prince
Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby
Attendance: 16,000
Referee: Phil Haines Flag of Australia (converted).svg
PNG Prime Minister's XIII
2012 squadCoaching staff

Head coach



Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)


2013

29 September 2013
PNG PM's XIII Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg 10 – 50 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australian PM's XIII
Tries
Josiah Abavu 1
Israel Eliab 1
Goals
Sebastian Pandia 1
Report
Tries
2 Jarryd Hayne
1 Kevin Gordon
1 Brett Morris
1 Josh Papalii
1 Aidan Sezer
1 David Shillington
1 James Tamou
1 Brent Tate
Goals
6 Aidan Sezer
1 Corey Parker
Kalabond Oval, Kokopo
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Gavin Morris Flag of Australia (converted).svg
PNG Prime Minister's XIII
2013 squadCoaching staff

Head coach



Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)


2014

12 October 2014
PNG PM's XIII Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg 16 – 34 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australian PM's XIII
Tries
Thompson Teteh 2
Israel Eliab 1
Goals
Noel Zeming 2
Report
Tries
2 Aaron Woods
1 Will Chambers
1 Josh Mansour
1 Anthony Milford
1 Beau Scott
Goals
3 Ben Hunt
2 Matt Moylan
Kalabond Oval, Kokopo
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Grant Atkins Flag of Australia (converted).svg
PNG Prime Minister's XIII
2014 squadCoaching staff

Head coach



Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)


2015

26 September 2015
PNG PM's XIII Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg 12 – 40 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australian PM's XIII
Tries
Watson Boas 1
Justin Olam 1
Goals
Alfred Missian 2
Report
Tries
2 David Nofoaluma
1 Euan Aitken
1 Jarrod Croker
1 Alex Johnston
1 Jeremy Latimore
1 Chris McQueen
1 Jack Wighton
Goals
2 Jarrod Croker
2 Adam Reynolds
Sir John Guise Stadium, Port Moresby
Attendance: 18,113
Referee: Gavin Reynolds Flag of Australia (converted).svg
PNG Prime Minister's XIII
2015 squadCoaching staff

Head coach



Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)


2016

24 September 2016
PNG PM's XIII Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg 0 – 58 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australian PM's XIII
Report
Tries:
3 Mitchell Moses
2 Josh Dugan
2 Blake Ferguson
2 Greg Inglis
1 Moses Mbye
1 Semi Radradra
Goals:
4 Matt Moylan
3 Mitchell Moses
National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Attendance: 15,011
Referee: David Munro Flag of Australia (converted).svg
PNG Prime Minister's XIII
2016 squadCoaching staff

Head coach



Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)


2017

23 September 2017
PNG PM's XIII Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg 8 48 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australian PM's XIII
Tries:
Stanford Talita 1
Goals:
Jason Missian 2/2
Report
Tries:
3 Tom Trbojevic
3 James Tedesco
1 Tyson Frizell
1 James Maloney
Goals:
6/6 James Maloney
1/1 Andrew Fifita
1/1 Valentine Holmes
PNG Prime Minister's XIII
2017 squadCoaching staff

Head coach



Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)


2018

6 October 2018
Papua New Guinea Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg 18 34 Australian colours.svg Australian PM's XIII
Tries:
Kyle Laybutt 1
Rhyse Martin 1
Justin Olam 1
Goals:
Rhyse Martin 3/3
1st: 6 24
2nd: 12 10
Report
Tries:
2 Daly Cherry-Evans
1 Corey Allan
1 Nick Cotric
1 Chad Townsend
1 Jake Trbojevic
Goals:
5/6 Zac Lomax
National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Attendance: 14,007
Referee: Chris Sutton Flag of Australia (converted).svg
PNG Prime Minister's XIII
2018 squadCoaching staff

Head coach



Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)


2022

25 September 2022
Australia Flag of Australia (converted).svg 64 - 14 Papua New Guinea colours.svg PNG PM's XIII
Tries:
Matt Burton (22', 64') 2
Selwyn Cobbo (29', 79') 2
Nat Butcher (2') 1
Josh Addo-Carr (9') 1
Angus Crichton (12') 1
Zac Lomax (14') 1
Jake Averillo (33') 1
Sam Walker (69') 1
Dane Laurie (72') 1
Beau Fermor (74') 1
Goals:
Zac Lomax 8/11
(3', 11', 13', 15', 24', 71', 73', 75')
Josh Addo-Carr 0/1
1st: 38 4
2nd: 26 10
Tries:
Edene Gebbie 1
Jimmy Ngutlik 1
Brandon Nima 1
Goals:
Kyle Laybutt 1/3
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 8,744 [5]
Referee: Todd Smith Flag of Australia (converted).svg
PNG Prime Minister's XIII
2022 squadCoaching staff

Head coach



Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)

Updated: 20 September 2022
Source(s): https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/09/20/png-name-pms-xiii-squad/

2023

23 September 2023
PNG PM's XIII Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg 18 30 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australian PM's XIII
Tries:
Nene Macdonald 4
Cruise Ten 46
Epel Kapinias 70
Goals:
Zac Laybutt 3/3
1st: 612
2nd: 1830
Tries:
Murray Taulagi 15
Hudson Young 33
Alofiana Khan-Pereira 58
Cameron McInnes 61
Tyrell Sloan 79
Goals:
Zac Lomax 5/5
Santos Stadium, Port Moresby
Referee: Peter Gough Flag of Australia (converted).svg
PNG Prime Minister's XIII
2023 squadCoaching staff

Head coach



Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)


Players

Captains

Coaches

Records

Individual


See also

References

  1. "League players spread HIV message in PNG". The Sydney Morning Herald, AAP. 22 September 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  2. "Papua New Guinea - PM's XIII men - Squad announcement". facebook. Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League. 6 October 2025. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Prime Minister's XIII PNG squads announced". NRL. PNGRFL. 7 October 2025. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  4. "Papua New Guinea - PM's XIII women - Squad announcement". facebook. Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League. 6 October 2025. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
  5. https://www.austadiums.com/sport/event/27288