PMs 13 side named

PMs XIII coach Jason Demetrious and PNGRFL Chairman Sandis Tsaka at the Pacific Bowl Championships. Coach Demetriou has named his 20-man side for the Prime Minister XIII set for this coming Sunday (File image: NBC News)

The annual Prime Minister's 13 fixture is set for this Sunday, October 12th, in Port Moresby, and the PNG Rugby Football League has named a 20-man squad which comprises players from the Queensland Cup, NSW Cup, NRL, and Super League.

Seven players are from the PNG Hunters, and they are Finley Glare, Robert Mathias, Alex Max, Epel Kapinias, Judah Rimbu, Ila Alu, and Gairo Voro, who is set to make his PM's 13 debut.

Others from the Queensland Cup listed in the squad include Dudley Dotoi from the Blackhawks, Sylvester Namo from the Brisbane Tigers, and the Capras trio, Valentine Richard, Nixon Putt, and Morea Morea.

Two from Super League are Nene Macdonald and Liam Horne, while the four NRL contracted players in the squad are: Robert Derby from the Cowboys, Jacob Alick and Cooper Bai from the Titans, and veteran Jack De Berlin from the Dragons.

Knights NSW Cup player Jacob Taulani will be a new face in camp, and Kyle Laybutt, who retired from the Queensland Cup earlier this year, has been named in the side as well.

The annual Prime Ministers' 13 fixture is not only about rugby league, but it also signifies the close relationship between Australia and PNG.

When announcing the PM’s XIII squad, PNG Rugby Football League Chairman Sandis Tsaka said this year is special because the rugby league festival will commemorate its 20th anniversary.

“The 2025 Prime Minister XIII marks 20 years of close relations with the Australian Rugby League and NRL in the space of the development of rugby league in PNG," Tsaka said.

PNG's Nene Macdonald has been named in the PM's XIII side for this Sunday's clash against Australia (File Image: NBC News)

The PNG Women's PM's XIII, Junior Kumuls, and Junior Orchids teams were also announced today, along with the Men's PMs XIII.

Mens: Nene Macdonald Super League - Salford Red Devils, Robert Derby NRL -North Queensland Cowboys, Robert Mathias QRL- PNG Hunters, Alex Max QRL- PNG Hunters, Dudley Dotoi QRL – Townsville Blackhawks, Finley Glare QRL - SP PNG Hunters, Kyle Laybutt South RLFC, Townsville, Epel Kapinias QRL- SP PNG Hunters, Liam Horne Super League - Castleford Tigers, Sylvester Namo QRL - East Brisbane Tigers, Jacob Alick-Wienke NRL - Gold Coast Titans, Nixon Putt QRL – Central Queensland Capras, Jack Debelin NRL - St George Illawarra, Judah Rimbu QRL - SP PNG Hunter's, Cooper Bai NRL - Gold Coast Titans, Ila Alu QRL - SP PNG Hunters, Valentine Richard QRL – Central Queensland Capras, Jacob Taulani NSWRL – Newcastle Knights, Morea Morea QRL – Central Queensland Capras 20 Gairo Varo QRL-PNG Hunters.

Womens: Fleur Ginn NRLW Paramatta Eels, Skaylyn Sil Santos Cup – Hagen Eagles, Relna Wuruki-Hosea NRLW Canberra Raiders, Ruth Gende Santos Cup – Port Moresby Vipers, Naomi Kelly Santos Cup – Central Dabaris, India Seeto BMD – East Tigers, Caitlin Tanner BMD – Mackay Cutters, Elsie Albert NRLW Parramatta Eels, Therese Aiton BMD – Clydesdales, Jessikah Reeves NRLW – West Tigers, Sareka Mooka BMD – Northern Pride, Essay Banu NRLW – North Queensland Cowboys, Josephine Howard Santos Cup – Port Moresby Vipers, Delaliah Ahose Santos Cup – Goroka Lahanis, Gloria Kaupa NSWRL – West Tigers, Emmogen Taumafai BMD – Sunshine Coast Falcons, Leila Kerowa Santos Cup – Central Dabaris, Marie Biyama BMD Clydesdales, Emily Vievers Super League - Wigan Warriors, Mala Mark Santos Cup - Central Dabaris, Belinda Gwasamun Santos Cup – Mt Hagen Eagles