Papua New Guinea coach Jason Demetriou has described selecting the team to play in the Prime Minister’s XIII match against Australia and the Pacific Championships as harder than ever.<\/p>\n
Nene Macdonald will captain a PNG PM\u2019s XIII team, which features a number of emerging stars who are likely to feature for the Kumuls in next year’s World Cup and play for the new NRL team joining the 2028 premiership.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Among them are exciting youngsters Gairo Voro, Morea Morea, Sanny Wabo and Finley Glare, who all play in the spine for the PNG Hunters.<\/p>\n
Wabo, who played fullback, was runner up in voting for the Petero Civoniceva Medal as Queensland Cup player of the year, while Varo – a promising playmaker – won the PNG Hunters Rookie of the Year award.<\/p>\n
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Demetriou will also hand a senior debut to 18-year-old Titans prop Cooper Bai, the son of PNG legend Marcus Bai, Knights backrower Jacob Taulani and Townsville Blackhawks winger Dudley Dotoi – the leading tryscorer in the Queensland Cup.<\/p>\n
Phillip Coates, the brother of Storm winger Xavier Coates, was ruled out with injury, while Titans centre Sam Stephenson is another rookie on Demetriou’s radar.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were some tough conversations with some players that didn’t get in the side, so competition for places to play for the Kumuls is as high as it’s probably ever been, and that’s the way it should be,\u201d Demetriou said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe more opportunity we get as a nation to play against Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa, and some other teams that have emerged over the last couple of years, the stronger we’re going to get and the more experienced those players will get.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’ve now got a great amount of players playing NRL or Super League and the more of those we can get over the next couple of years, the stronger we will become internationally.”<\/p>\n
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PNG PM’s XIII profiles
\nNene MacDonald (Salford)<\/p>\n
Age: 31
Position: Fullback\/Winger\/Centre
NRL games: 98
Points 140 (35 tries)
First Grade Debut: Sydney Roosters v Canterbury at ANZ Stadium, Sydney, 23\/5\/2014 (Rd 11)
Clubs: Sydney Roosters 2014-15, Gold Coast Titans 2015-16, St George Illawarra 2017-18,
North Queensland 2019, Cronulla 2020, Leigh 2022, Leeds 2023, Salford 2024
Junior Football: Cairns Brothers
Papua New Guinea: Tests 19 (2013-17, 2022-24), World Cup 2013, 2017, 2021
Junior Rep Honours: Queensland Under-20s 2013, 2014; Queensland Under-16s 2010
Australian Schoolboys 2011 (from Kirwan State High)
Other information: Played Super League with Salford 2024-25; Leeds 2023
English Championship with Leigh 2022
PNG Prime Minister\u2019s XIII 2013, 2018, 2023
Represented World All Stars 2016-17; Queensland Emerging Origin squad 2016-17
NYC for Sydney Roosters 2012-14; Holden Cup Team of the Year 2014
Queensland Junior Emerging Origin Squad 2014<\/p>\n
Robert Derby (North Queensland)<\/p>\n
Age: 23
Position: Winger
NRL games: 18
Points: 36 (9 tries)
First Grade Debut: North Queensland v Parramatta at CommBank Stadium, 26\/5\/2023 (Rd 13)
Club: North Queensland 2023
Junior Football: Cairns Brothers
Papua New Guinea: Tests 7 (2022-24)
Other information: Cowboys NRL rookie of the year 2025
Represented PNG Prime Minister\u2019s XIII 2023
Qld Cup for Townsville Blackhawks 2023; Northern Pride 2022, 2024-25
Hastings Deering Colts for Northern Pride 2021-22
Mal Meninga Cup for Sunshine Coast Falcons 2020<\/p>\n
Robert Mathias (PNG Hunters)<\/p>\n
Age: 24
Position: Centre
NRL games: 0
Junior Football: Kunai Brothers
Papua New Guinea: Tests 3 (2024)
Other information: PNG v Australian Prime Minister\u2019s XIII 2024
31 games for PNG Hunters 2024-25
Player Profiles \u2013 PNG Prime Minister\u2019s XIII 2025<\/p>\n
Alex Max (PNG Hunters)<\/p>\n
Age: 25
Height: 183cm Weight: 96kg
NRL games: 0
Junior Football: Kondo East
Other information: PNG v Australian Prime Minister\u2019s XIII 2024
Scored 23 tries in 38 games for PNG Hunters 2024-25<\/p>\n
Dudley Dotoi (Townsville Blackhawks)<\/p>\n
Age: 22
Position: Winger
NRL games: 0
Junior Football: Bowen Seagulls
Other information: PNG v Australian Prime Minister\u2019s XIII 2024
Leading try scorer in Qld Hostplus Cup in 2025 (26 tries)
Hostplus Cup Winger of the Year 2025
37 tries in 36 Qld Cup games for Townsville Blackhawks 2024-25<\/p>\n
Finley Glare (PNG Hunters)<\/p>\n
Age: 22
Position: Halfback\/Five-eighth
Height: 170cm Weight: 84kg
NRL games: 0
Junior Football: Lae Biscuit Spiders
Other information: PNG v Australian Prime Minister\u2019s XIII 2024
36 games for PNG Hunters 2024-25<\/p>\n
Gairo Voro (PNG Hunters)<\/p>\n
Age: 22
Position: Halfback\/Five-eighth
NRL games: 0
Junior Football: 0
Other information: 20 games for PNG Hunters 2024-25
PNG Hunters Rookie of the Year 2025<\/p>\n
Epel Kapinias (PNG Hunters)<\/p>\n
Age: 27
Position: Prop
Height: 186cm Weight: 104kg
Club: PNG Hunters 2019-21, 2023; Wynnum Manly 2022
Junior Football: Kokopo Muruks
Papua New Guinea: Tests 4 (2022-23)
Other information: Played 64 Qld Cup games for PNG Hunters 2019-21, 2023 and 2025
Wynnum Manly 2022; Represented PNG Prime Minister\u2019s XIII 2022, 2023
Emerged from Agmark Gurias in Digicel competition<\/p>\n
Liam Horne (Castleford Tigers)<\/p>\n
Age: 27
Position: Hooker\/Lock
NRL games: 0
Junior Football: Aspley Devils
Papua New Guinea: Tests 6 (2022-24), World Cup 2021
Other information: PNG v Australian Prime Minister\u2019s XIII 2024
51 Super League games for Castleford 2023-25
Played for Norths Devils in State Championship 2022
Norths Devils 2019-23; Central Capras 2021
Won Queensland Cup with Norths Devils 2021-22
Won Hastings Deering Colts grand final with Norths Devils 2018
Hastings Deering Colts for Norths Devils 2017-18
Mal Meninga Cup for Norths Devils 2016<\/p>\n
Sylvester Namo (Brisbane Tigers)<\/p>\n
Age: 25
Postion: Prop
NRL games: 0
Junior Football: Tech Bombers\/Kunai Brothers
Papua New Guinea: Tests 7 (2022, 2024), World Cup 2021
Other information: Brisbane Tigers 2025
22 Super League games for Castleford 2024-25
10 games for Townsville Blackhawks 2023; 29 games for PNG Hunters 2021-22
Represented PNG Prime Minister\u2019s XIII 2022, 2024<\/p>\n
Jacob Alick-Wiencke (Gold Coast)<\/p>\n
Age: 25
Position: 2ndRow\/Middle
NRL games: 18
Points: Nil
First Grade Debut: Gold Coast Titans v Dolphins at Cbus Super Stadium, 9\/7\/2023 (Rd 19)
Club: Gold Coast Titans 2023-25
Junior Football: Easts Brisbane
Papua New Guinea: Tests 10 (2022-24), World Cup 2021
Other information: Qld Hostplus Cup for Tweed Seagulls 2024-25
Queensland Cup Second Rower of the year 2023
Played in Hostplus Cup grand final for Burleigh Bears 2023
Intrust Super Cup for Souths Logan 2019, 2021
Hastings Deering Colts for Souths Logan 2018-19
Mal Meninga Cup for Easts Tigers 2016-17<\/p>\n
Nixon Putt (Central Capras)<\/p>\n
Age: 29
Position: 2nd Row
Clubs: PNG Hunters 2017-18; Norths Devils 2019-20; Central Qld Capras 2021-23, 2025
Junior Football: Kum Tigers
Papua New Guinea: Tests 13 (2017-19, 2022-23); World Cup 2017, 2021
Other information: Played 142 games in Qld Hostplus Cup since 2017
Played for Castleford 2024 (Super League), also Newcastle and Batley (2nd Div)
Central Capras Player\u2019s Player of the Year 2022
Represented PNG Prime Minister\u2019s XIII 2018, 2022, 2023
Played in PNG Hunters\u2019 Intrust Super Cup grand final-winning team 2017<\/p>\n
Jack de Belin (St George Illawarra)<\/p>\n
Age: 34
NRL games: 252
Points: 76 (19 tries)
First Grade Debut: St George Illawarra v Manly at WIN Stadium, 27\/6\/2011 (Rd 16)
Club: St George Illawarra 2011-18, 2021-25
Junior Football: Cootamundra Bulldogs
Papua New Guinea: Tests 6 (2023-24)
New South Wales: State of Origins 3 (2018)
Country Origin: 2016, 2017
Junior Rep Honours: Junior Kangaroos 2011
Other information: Dragons Immortals\u2019 Trophy 2023
State of Origin Merit team 2018
Emerging Blues squad 2016; Toyota Cup Player of the Year 2011
Toyota Cup for St George Illawarra 2010-11 (41 games)
Grandson of 1948-49 Kangaroo Fred de Belin<\/p>\n
Judah Rimbu (PNG Hunters)<\/p>\n
Age: 24
Position: Hooker
NRL games: 0
Junior Football: Gulf West RL
Papua New Guinea: Tests 6 (2023-24)
Other information: 78 games for PNG Hunters 2021-25; Castleford 2025
Won Petero Civoniceva Medal as Qld Cup Player of the Year 2024
Trained with Dolphins NRL squad in 2024 pre-season
Represented PNG Prime Minister\u2019s XIII 2022-24 (captain in 2024)
Player Profiles \u2013 PNG Prime Minister\u2019s XIII 2025<\/p>\n
Cooper Bai (Gold Coast)<\/p>\n
Age: 18
Position: Prop
NRL games: 1
Points: Nil
First Grade Debut: Gold Coast Titans v Wests Tigers at Cbus Super Stadium, 6\/9\/2025 (Rd 27)
Club: Gold Coast Titans 2025
Junior Football: Burleigh Bears
Junior Rep Honours: Queensland Under-19s 2025; Queensland Under-17s 2023
Other information: Queensland Cup for Tweed Seagulls 2025; NRLQ Series for Gold Coast 2025
Mal Meninga Cup for Tweed Seagulls 2025; Burleigh Bears 2023-24
Son of former Storm winger and PNG international Marcus Bai<\/p>\n
Ila Alu (PNG Hunters)<\/p>\n
Age: 30
Positon: Lock
NRL games: 0
Junior Football: Tokarara Nest United
Papua New Guinea: Tests 3 (2024)
Other information: 106 games for PNG Hunters 2018-25
Represented PNG Prime Minister\u2019s XIII 2016 (from Rabaul Gurias) and 2024<\/p>\n
Valentine Richard (Central Capras)<\/p>\n
Age: 28
Position: Prop
NRL games: 0
Club: PNG Hunters 2023, Central Capras 2023-25
Junior Football: Kunai Brothers
Papua New Guinea: Tests 6 (2023-24)
Other information: Queensland Cup with PNG Hunters 2023-24, Central Capras 2023, 2025
PNG Prime Minister\u2019s XIII 2023<\/p>\n
Jacob Taulani (Newcastle)<\/p>\n
Age: 21
Postion: 2nd row, centre
NRL games: 0
Junior Football: Redcliffe Dolphins
Other information: NSW Cup for Newcastle Knights 2025
Jersey Flegg for Newcastle 2025; Jersey Flegg for Cronulla 2024
SG Ball for Cronulla 2023; Mal Meninga Cup for Redcliffe 2021-22
Player Profiles \u2013 PNG Prime Minister\u2019s XIII 2025<\/p>\n
19. Morea Morea (Central Qld Capras)<\/p>\n
Age: 23
Postion: Fullback
Height: 176cm Weight: 76kg
NRL games: 0
Junior Football: Koita Cowboys
Papua New Guinea: Tests 2 (2024)
Other information: Central Qld Capras 2025; 23 games for PNG Hunters 2023-25
Represented PNG Prime Minister\u2019s XIII 2023-24
PNG Hunters Player of the Year 2023; Queensland Cup rookie of the year 2023<\/p>\n
Sanny Wabo (PNG Hunters)<\/p>\n
Age: 26
Positon: Fullback
Height: 169cm Weight: 83kg
NRL games: 0
Junior Football: Six Tiger
Other information: Represented PNG Prime Minister\u2019s XIII 2024
35 tries in 48 games for PNG Hunters 2023-25<\/p>\n
* Player profiles: David Middleton<\/p>\n
Rugby League fans across the Pacific are set to be able to watch the Prime Minister’s XIII Women’s and Men’s matches on free to air television, through the PacificAus TV initiative and the NRL\u2019s broadcast partners.\u00a0<\/p>\n
PacificAus TV is an initiative of the Australian Government and is managed by Free TV Australia, and has played an important role in delivering high-quality content that resonates with Pacific audiences since 2020.<\/p>\n
The PM\u2019s XIII matches are being transmitted on\u00a017\u00a0Pacific broadcast partners – across 11 countries and seven time zones, via:<\/p>\n
EMTV and NBC (Papua New Guinea) & Digicel.
Fiji TV, FBC and Mai TV (Fiji)
SBC TV1, EFKS TV2 and Apia TV3 (Samoa)
CITV and Vaka TV (Cook Islands)
TTV (Solomon Islands)
VBTC (Vanuatu)
Kiri One (Kiribati)
NTV (Nauru)
TVBC (Tuvalu)
TBC (Tonga)
BCN (Niue)\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Papua New Guinea coach Jason Demetriou has described selecting the team to play in the Prime Minister’s XIII…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":206233,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[568],"tags":[64,63,761,762,158,85],"class_list":{"0":"post-206232","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nrl","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-national-rugby-league","11":"tag-nationalrugbyleague","12":"tag-nrl","13":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/206232","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=206232"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/206232\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/206233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=206232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=206232"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=206232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}