The Prime Ministers 13 fixture for 2024 is set for Sunday the 13th of October, the teams from Australia arrived on Friday (11/10/24) in Port Moresby for Sundays matches.
Papua New Guinea still has about 20 spots to fill in the PNG LNG Kumuls Pacific Championships side and will be using the Prime Ministers 13 as the final showcase to decide a team for the National side that will take on the Fiji Bati in Suva on the 19th of October.
Australia has a relatively young side in this year’s PMs 13, but all their players are emerging future Kangaroos in the NRL competition.
Papua New Guinea on the other hand has a bulk of it’s players from the Queensland Cup Competition with additions from the Super League and the Digicel Exxon Mobil Cup.
Australia has always come out on top in the PMs 13 fixtures, always the winners over the past years. PNG has only a draw with Australia in a 24 all scoreline in 2007.
PNGs new Coach Jason Demetriou has shifted focus for the team on defense, adding that they need to work on stopping the Australians from scoring.
“There is a few things we have worked on in and around our defense we want to put some practice into that before we go to Fiji for the Pacific Test,” Demetriou said
Demetriou has picked a team that is dynamic and can score points, with a couple of breakout stars in the Queensland Cup such as try scoring sensation Dudley Dotoi of the Townsville Blackhawks.
“Like I told the boys we will get tested by a quality side from Australia, I know we can score points but we will have to work on our defense.” Demetriou added.
Australian PMs 13 Coach Brad Fittler says the opportunity to represent their country is the highlight for most of the players in his camp, most of the players are just starting out their careers in the NRL.
“The one thing I have noticed picking this teams is the immense talent and potential they have, It is a long process to pick a side and the NRL season is a long season, but the players show a lot of enthusiasm and they will be a great team to challenge the PNG Prime Ministers 13,” Fittler said.
He added that the players are excited for the match. Fittler has encouraged his team to take the match as a stepping stone towards a Kangaroos jersey.
“I think anytime these players get a chance to get selected and improve, they get the chance to wear the Australian Jersey and play along side some of their idols like Damian Cook. I think its very important to them.
“A lot of these players are at the start of their careers and let alone representative careers.
This is a stepping stone to hopefully be the team that are playing in the Pacific Championships in the future. It’s up to the players to see this as the challenge and stepping stone,” Fittler adds.
After the PMs 13 clash, the focus for Jason Demetriou will shift to the Kumuls side, in preparation for the Pacific Championships.
Only 10 players will leave early for Fiji while the rest of the team will be made up of players from the Prime Ministers 13.
“Every player that goes out on Sunday will have the opportunity to present themselves and put their name forward for the Pacific Championships.
“Its such a strong feeling to give the guys the opportunity to put on the jumper to represent their country. There is so much emotion from some of the guys that will be playing in this game on Sunday, it is a privilege to present that opportunity to them,” Demetriou said.
Read More: insidepng.com
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