The Australian Rugby League has today announced the Prime Minister’s XIII side to play Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on Sunday, 27 September, 2009.
The match at Lloyd Robson Oval will be preceded by the team conducting community work with AusAID and the Papua New Guinea Rugby League aimed at promoting critical health messages.
Team of the Century member Mal Meninga will coach the Prime Minister’s XIII side for the fifth consecutive year. Also joining the coaching staff is former Test and Origin great Brad Fittler.
Queensland and Test front rower Petero Civoniceva has been named captain of the side.
“Mal has done a terrific job with this side over the past four years and he and the team will again be great representatives for Australia on and off the field this year,” Prime Minister Mr Kevin Rudd said today.
“I look forward to the team continuing the legacy they have built through their important community work off the field in the lead up to the match.
“It is always a tough game against the Papua New Guinean side so I wish ‘my team’ all the best.”
2009 ARL Prime Minister’s XIII
Position |
Player |
Club |
Fullback |
Josh Dugan |
Canberra Raiders |
Wing |
Nathan Merritt |
South Sydney |
Centre |
Michael Jennings |
Penrith Panthers |
Centre |
Joel Monaghan |
Canberra Raiders |
Wing |
David Williams |
Manly Sea Eagles |
Five-eighth |
Terry Campese |
Canberra Raiders |
Halfback |
Johnathan Thurston |
North Queensland Cowboys |
Front Row |
Petero Civoniceva (c) |
Penrith Panthers |
Hooker |
Robbie Farah |
Wests Tigers |
Front Row |
Keith Galloway |
Wests Tigers |
Second Row |
Trent Waterhouse |
Penrith Panthers |
Second Row |
Luke O’Donnell |
North Queensland |
Lock |
Paul Gallen |
Cronulla Sharks |
Interchange |
Luke Lewis |
Penrith Panthers |
Interchange |
Dave Shillington |
Canberra Raiders |
Interchange |
Nate Myles |
Sydney Roosters |
Interchange |
Tom Learoyd-Lahrs |
Canberra Raiders |
Interchange |
Adam MacDougall |
Newcastle Knights |
Please note that the above players are eligible for selection in the VB Kangaroos squad to contest the Gillette Four Nations tournament.
Several players named in the VB Kangaroos train-on squad were not considered for selection in the Prime Minister’s XIII team due to workload concerns.
The team will gather at the Sydney Football Stadium at 11.30am on Wednesday for medicals and a team briefing. The team will then assemble and travel to Cairns on Thursday, 24 September, and depart for Port Moresby on Friday, 25 September.
