Prime Ministers XIII

Rugby League

More Positives for NRL Bid despite loss by PNG in PM’s XIII Challenge

By Fidelis Sukina 14/10/2024

Papua New Guinea was left with three losses and a draw in this years Prime Ministers XIII Challenge.

The Junior Orchids lost to the Australian School girls 14 points to 4, while the Junior Kumuls Managed a draw with the Australian School Boys 22 points each.

The Junior Kumuls took an early lead but with 7 minutes remaining Australia scored three tries back to back to force a draw.

The biggest thumping from Australia came in the Womens match when the Australian Women’s Prime Ministers XIII side had a field day scoring 50 points with the PNG Women left scoreless for the entire match.

NRL Bid — PNG Womens PM’s XIII side left scoreless on Sunday. Pics by NRL.

In the main game Papua New Guinea came out early to score two converted tries taking a 12 – 0 lead but were forced to chase down a 42 points lead from Australia. PNG’s errors and discipline led them to lose their early lead only managing 20 points. In the end, the Australian PMs XIII side ended the game winners 42 points to 20. Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape said that the concept was very important for PNG and Australia’s partnership, especially the push by Papua New Guinea to be the 18th team in the National Rugby League (NRL) which has gained much support from the Australian Federal Government.

Prime Minister James Marape promised an even bigger Prime Ministers XIII Challenge during Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence in 2025.

An optimistic Marape added that by 2028 PNG should have a positive answer from the National Rugby League competition in Australia.

“I want to appreciate the Australian Government for their support. We hope to see our own team play in the NRL hopefully in 2028 onwards,” Marape said.

Representing the Government of Australia was Pat Conroy Minister for Defence Industry & Capability Delivery who he is also the Minister for International Development and the Pacific.

Sharing similar views with Marape is also positive about the ongoing discussions for Papua New Guinea to enter the NRL.

He said rugby league was a key factor in uniting the two nations in the Pacific.

Conroy said the spinoff from a successful NRL Bid will bring more development and job opportunities for Papua New Guineans in PNG and in Australia as well.

“Like Prime Minister Marape I am very optimistic we have reached an agreement with the fundamentals, just the final details but I am very confident we are going to get there and nothing will bring our two countries closer together.

“More PNG players in the NRL will be an awesome thing and I think in the years to come a PNG team will rival Penrith for dominating the competition,” Conroy said.

Keep Reading

Rugby League

Brendon Ready for PMs XIII Challenge

By Fidelis Sukina 13/10/2024

Brendon Nima after a strong showing in the Queensland Host Plus Cup has been chosen for the Papua New Guinea Prime Ministers XIII side.

The Prime Ministers XIII rugby league challenge between Papua New Guinea and Australia will be this Sunday (13/10/24). The the kick off will be at 4pm at the Santos National Football Stadium.

Nima who plays wing says there are many talented backliners in the PNG side and it will be a challenge for him and other players to impress selectors if they want to make the Kumuls side for the Pacific Championships. The team is focused on defense and Nima says they are ready to take on the Australians.

He adds they have a good mix of players in the side and the team is always full of pride to represent Papua New Guinea.

Keep Reading

Rugby League

Elsie Albert to Lead PNG Womens Prime Ministers XIII Side

By Fidelis Sukina 12/10/2024

Elsie Albert will be leading the Papua New Guinea Prime Ministers XIII womens side today against Australia.

Albert has been power house in the Women’s National Rugby League Competition in Australia. She is currently playing for the Paramatta Eels women’s team. Elsie will be one of only four women that play in the WNRL in Australia.

Others include Essay Banu and Sareka Mooka who play for the North Queensland Cowboys and Ua Ravu with the Canberra Raiders. There is a handful of players from the Queensland Cup and other Australian based competitions. The rest of the team is made up of women from Papua New Guineas National Women’s Rugby League Competition the Santos Cup. The squad comprises of 22 women.

Elsie Albert as captain of the Women’s Prime Ministers XIII side is confident the team will be up for a win against the Australian side.

“You have to have confidence in the team and I am confident that the team that we have can get the job done for Papua New Guinea.

“Its always a proud moment when we put on the jersey and it will be the same this Sunday and we will be giving our best shot to get the win this Sunday,” Albert said.

Coach Tahnee Norris says the team has jelled well and after a few training sessions together they are looking well prepared for todays match. She said the Prime Minister XIII match will help in her selection for the Orchids side that will take part in the Pacific Championship.

She is eager to see how the women selected from the Santos Cup will perform on Sunday.

“We had a couple of training sessions and the girls have come together.

“There are a few girls that featured well in the Santos cup and have put their hands up for selection in the Prime Ministers 13 side.

“It has given them every opportunity to make that side for the Pacific Championships and I am very keen on seeing how they perform on Sunday,” Norris said.

The Australian Womens Coach Jess Skinner said they are anticipating a tough encounter with the PNG womens side.

She added that some of the women will also be looking to impress the coaches for their chance to make the Australian Jilaroos side for the Pacific Championship as well.

“The games going to be really tough and there is a lot of experience in the Papua New Guinea Prime Ministers 13 team as well. We are looking forward to the match on Sunday it will be really entertaining.

“We have the Pacific Championships and some of the other girls will be joining us then but we have a job to do this weekend,” Skinner said.

Keep Reading

Rugby League

PNG Prime Ministers 13 Men to Focus on Defense

By Fidelis Sukina 12/10/2024

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.

Aussies PM’s XIII Arrive to Fanfare at Jacksons Airport

By Fidelis Sukina 22/09/2023

The Aussies PM’s XIII arrived to the usual fanfare by Papua New Guineans at the Jacksons International Airport, which they found it as more than what was expected.

A crowd had formed before the ETA of the Aussies at 3.30pm the Australian Contingent made up of the Australian Defense Force Men and Women, two junior teams men’s and women’s and the women’s and Men’s PM’s XIII’s.

A total of 230 as the total contingent flew in to PNG on an Australian Air Force flight. the crowd mostly made up of children and young men went into a frenzy when the Australian Men’s PM’s XIII walked out at the arrivals.

The crowd soon swarmed in on the players as several players including Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow got his team cap pulled off his head.

The chants of “Tino, Tino, Tino” as Tino Fa’asuamaleaui walked into the team bus covered the open air outside, behind him a frantic chase of cat and mouse between guards and the fans, children mostly kept circling the bus making gestures for any piece of souvenir they could beg off the NRL stars.

After a few photos and continuous chanting the team bus took off, with some members of the crowd latching while others ran after the bus a few got trampled before the police personnel dispersed the crowd from moving 25 seater Rosa bus from Budget Rent a car.

It seemed bewildering but expected by the Australians, with Australia PM’s XIII Captain Cameron Murray saying it was a crazy experience.

“Most of us were left speechless most we had a really good smile on our faces a bit crazy but what could have happened was probably what was expected,” Cameron Murray Australian PM’s XIII Captain said

“I came here when I was 16 years old to PNG, to one of the Islands but today’s airport scene takes the top spot.

“A crazy experience obviously at the airport, really excited to be here great to back in the Australian colors after the World Cup last year.”

For both teams the last encounter in PNG was in 2018 loyal rugby league followers in PNG are obviously relishing this opportunity for a weekend of international rugby league.

While the Aussies are overwhelming favorites, Coach Mal Meninga says it’s an opportunity for the Australian players to cement their place in the Kangaroos and get in some match fitness as well.

“It is an important part of the selection of the Kangaroo side and it’s for their fitness no doubt,” Mal Meninga said.

PNG as the underdogs are also gearing up for the challenge with the team quite modes with their approach.

“It’s been a good week, we look forward to the match against the Australians.

“Pacific Test coming up and we look forward to all the players turning up for that, it is a great opportunities for the team to have some these fringe players make an effort to make the Kumuls side for the pacific test,” PNG PM’s XIII Coach Justin Holbrook said

The PNG Prime Minister’s 13 has opted for Kyle Laybutt as Captain and are keen on the challenge ahead on Saturday against the Australian PM’s XIII.

Papua New Guineas Captain Kyle Laybutt says he is ready to represent Papua New Guinea and give his best.

“I am very proud to represent everyone in PNG as the captain no doubt and we look to take the field on Saturday,” Laybutt said

Kyle will be alongside his younger brother Zac Laybutt who will debut in PNG color’s as well, both look to contribute their best to PNG this weekend.

Keep Reading