Daly Cherry-Evans gets a chance to push his World Cup claims when he leads the Australian Prime Minister's XIII on Sunday in a clash with the passionate PNG outfit who always put on a show.
The fourth match on a massive Sunday at Suncorp Stadium represents the first time the PM's XIII game has been played on Australian soil and gives a number of Kangaroos aspirants a chance to shine while also showcasing the talents of rising stars like Jojo Fifita from the Titans.
For the PNG PM's XIII the match serves as ideal preparation for the World Cup and the chance to pit their skills against seasoned stars like Cherry-Evans, Josh Addo-Carr, Ben Hunt and Angus Crichton.
The last time the pride of PNG was in show was in June's Pacific Test at Campbelltown Stadium when they defeated Fiji and a number of players who stood tall that night will be on show again and ready to take the game right up to the Aussies.
The first ever Prime Minister's XIII clash was staged in Port Moresby in 2005 as an exhibition to celebrate PNG’s 30th anniversary of independence and was staged every year until 2018, with Australia winning 13 of the 14 clashes and one draw in 2007 when PNG fought back from 20-0 down at the break to draw 24-24.
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The Rundown
Team news
Australian PM's XII: The Mal Meninga-coached PM's XIII boasts a backline packed with speed and skill, led by Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans who combines with Matt Burton in the halves. Burton's Bulldogs team-mate Josh Addo-Carr gets a chance to remind national selectors of his blistering pace and tryscoring ability after being overlooked for this year's Origin series. In the forwards, the Storm's Josh King, Bulldog Max King and Titan Beau Fermor have been rewarded for breakout seasons.
PNG PM's XIII: The rousing 24-14 win over Fiji in June signalled the end of the international career of winger David Mead, who bowed out in style as the Kumuls made it eight wins in their past 11 matches. Also making a big impression that night was five-eighth Kyle Laybutt, who shifts to halfback this weekend with Lachlan Lam playing for Leigh Centurions in the Championship semi-finals in England. Back-rower Nixon Putt and prop McKenzie Lei were also impressive in June and will be a handful for the Australian PM's XIII while centre Brandon Nima and five-eighth Judah Rimbu enjoyed strong seasons for the Hunters in Queensland Cup. No changes in Saturday's 24-hour update.
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Key Match-up
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui v McKenzie Lei
The forward exchanges will be worth the price of admission alone at Suncorp and when the tearaway Titan locks horns with the hard-charging Capra, the sparks are sure to fly. Fa'asuamaleaui has had three weeks off since his last match and will look to carry on the form that saw him average 160 metres per game and bust 61 tackles for the Titans in 2022. Lei was a standout in the Pacific Test for the Kumuls, scoring a try and clocking up 118 metres and eight tackle breaks off the bench. He also came off the bench in 17 appearances for the CQ Capras this season but gets a chance in the starting side on Sunday and will be primed for a big one against Fa'asuamaleaui and Thomas Flegler.
Stat Attack
The record for most tries in a Prime Minister's XIII match by an Australian player is three, held jointly by Michael Jennings (2009), Mitch Moses (2016), Tom Trbojevic (2017), James Tedesco (2017) and Clint Gutherson (2019). Robbie Farah, Jake Trbojevic and Aaron Woods hold the record for most appearances for the PM's XIII with five.
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