Incoming PNG representative coaches Tahnee Norris and Jason Demetriou have named their representative sides in their new roles, selecting their squads for the upcoming Prime Minister’s XIII match ups against the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII selections.
Both the Prime Minister's XIII Women’s and Men’s squads will assemble in Port Moresby for a week in the lead-up to the international games taking place at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby, on Sunday, October 13.
Norris said the PMs game against a strong Australian side would be a fantastic opportunity for the PNG players to test themselves against some of the best players in the NRLW as they prepare for the upcoming Pacific Championships.
“I’m excited to see the talent we have assembled in this squad come together and play some of the football we have seen them produce during their seasons,” Norris said.
“We have some NRLW experience in the squad who will bring a lot of knowledge to the side and we have also selected players who were stand-outs in a very competitive Santos Cup competition.
“I am looking forward to seeing the players come together and work hard through the week. This is an important game in itself, but it will also help set us up for the exciting challenge ahead during the Pacific Championships tournament.”
Two players who are unfortunately unavailable for selection due to injury are Orchid #54 Shellie Long and Marie Biyama, who starred for Central Dabaris.
Demetriou was recently in PNG to watch the finals of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup and has included players from the domestic competition in his first squad.
However, the line-up is dominated by members of the PNG Hunters side who made it to the preliminary finals stage of the Hostplus Cup this year, with Petero Civoniceva Medal winner Judah Rimbu selected at hooker.
Another exciting addition is the return to the representative stage of Morea Morea, who was injured in his opportunity when playing his the Prime Minister’s match in Port Moresby last year.
Speaking after his appointment to the role, Demetriou said he thought the future looked bright for the men’s representative side.
“It is not until you get the list of players available that you realise how strong the side can be so I am really looking forward to pulling that together,” Demetriou said.
“The big thing for me is putting in a program and a plan that is authentic and suits the way the Kumuls like to play and that for me as a coach is the most exciting challenge.”
Game times are as follows (PNG time):
9am: PNG Junior Orchids v Australian School Girls
11am: PNG Junior Kumuls v Australian School Boys
1pm: PM’s XIII Women - PNG v Australia
3pm: PM’s XIII Men - PNG v Australia
PNG Prime Minister's squads
PNG Prime Minister's XIII Women squad
Belinda Gwasamun – Wentworthville Magpies
Delailah Ahose – Goroka Lahanis
Elsie Albert – Parramatta Eels
Emily Veivers – Norths Devils
Essay Banu - North Queensland Cowboys
Freda Anthony – Central Dabaris
Freda Waula – Mt Hagen Eagles
Gloria Kaupa – Wentworthville Magpies
Jenny Wesley – Goroka Lahanis
Jessikah Reeves – Western Clydesdales
Latoniya Norris-Addo – Darwin Brothers
Leila Kerowa – Central Dabaris
Lilah Malabag – Port Moresby Vipers
Lyiannah Allen – Mt Hagen Eagles
Mala Mark – Central Dabaris
Meli Joe - Mt Hagen Eagles
Roswita Kapo – Wentworthville Magpies
Sareka Mooka – North Queensland Cowboys
Sera Koroi – Goodna
Talitha Kunjil – Mt Hagen Eagles
Ua Ravu - Canberra Raiders
Yolanda Taute – Goroka Lahanis
PNG Prime Minister's XIII Men’s squad
Alex Max - SP PNG Hunters
Benji Kot- SP PNG Hunters
Brandon Nima - SP PNG Hunters
Dan Russell - St George Illawarra Dragons
Dudley Dotoi - Townsville Blackhawks
Elijah Roltinga - SP PNG Hunters
Finley Glare - SP PNG Hunters
Ila Alu - SP PNG Hunters
Jamie Mavoko - SP PNG Hunters
Jordan Pat - SP PNG Hunters
Josh Mire - SP PNG Hunters
Judah Rimbu - SP PNG Hunters
Khaiya Waiembi - Central Queensland Capras
Koso Bandi - SP PNG Hunters
Liam Horne - Castleford Tigers
Morea Morea - SP PNG Hunters
Murray Conners - Kroton Hela Wigmen
Robert Mathias - SP PNG Hunters
Sakias Komati - SP PNG Hunters
Sanny Wabo - SP PNG Hunters
Sylvester Namo - Castleford Tigers
*(squads listed in first name alphabetical order)
