Coach Mal Meninga has named four current Test players in a powerful Prime Minister’s XIII to take on the PNG PM’s XIII in Port Moresby on September 24.
Captain Greg Inglis, Semi Radradra, Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson, who all appeared in the May Test against the Kiwis, will be heading to Port Moresby with the team next week.
The exciting backline also includes Wests Tigers guns James Tedesco and Mitchell Moses plus Mitchell Pearce at halfback.
While the squad is comprised wholly of players not involved in the last three weeks of the NRL finals, Meninga has promised all can push their claims to be in his Kangaroos squad for the Four Nations tournament starting next month.
“This is an outstanding squad,” Meninga said on Tuesday.
“There are four representatives from the Test match against New Zealand and on top of that, no less than nine of the players were a part of Origin this year.”
“The PNG tours are some of the most enjoyable trips I have been on but they are no holiday when you run onto the field.
“The PNG boys play a tough and energetic brand of football and they will be well backed by a huge crowd, all willing the home team on.”
Australian Prime Minister’s XIII to play Papua New Guinea
James Tedesco, Semi Radradra, Greg Inglis (capt), Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Mitchell Moses, Mitchell Pearce, Aaron Woods, Jake Friend, Ryan James, Boyd Cordner, Tyson Frizell, Josh Jackson, David Klemmer, Moses Mbye, Dylan Napa, Jake Trbojevic.
PNG HUNTER
Guest
Super Coach Big Mal was paid a massive amount of money for about a period of 4 years and produced meager results during his tenure as Coach of the PNG Kumuls, of which he failed to even produce a single win. Each loss would be followed by a statement by the "Super Coach" to the local media belittling the players for their lack of skills, fitness, development, etc... and justifying the need for his continued and exorbitantly priced "high performance coaching clinics". His roles also included resurrecting the local School boys competition,which never got underway, and was another fully funded free tour of the Country for himself and his entourage. Where he was feverishly received nationwide by RL worshippers (who'd been victory starved for decades on the back of the Kumuls regressive International ranking) on the hope that he was a Heaven sent answer to their prayers because he was a RLeague Legend and a current RECORD BREAKING QLD ORIGIN COACH who'd finally brought with him the right blend of ingredients tools necessary like; big game playing experience, skills, strategy, people connections, success, and importantly his indigenous heritage which made him easy to be identified with. However, Lo and behold to our shock, disappointment and sense of betrayal he was appointed last year as the Australian Coach....To which he publically and graciously accepted the offer and announced his ambitious plans of grandeur and glory...Midway through his contract last year..... without any formal resignation notice to the PNG NRL..... or a succession plan...or an explanation to the PNG Fans that he let down badly. We're smart enough to already know that in today's world money is King, and the lure of coaching a rich and famous team like the Kangaroos are a temptation too good to ignore. But what about the values of Honor, Trustworthiness, Professionalism, Loyalty, Duty of care, due diligence, and the heart to serve the underdog???? To Mal...we the 8 million fans of PNG which you lied to, stole from and betrayed have not forgotten and are watching you... Shall karma have it's way with you and your Kangaroos and your sins be exposed as the coaching fraudster that you truly are, either in this football match or in other upcoming RL International events and the World Cup 2017. Assaassumbba!!!! Go the PNG Kumuls!!!!
Ken
Guest
I think that would probably be insulting to the PNG fans. I'm sure they'd rather see some of the stars like Semi & Inglis play than claim a victory over a bunch of reserve-graders. Would be like the USA sending a basketball team to Australia - would the local fans here prefer to see their team beat a bunch of no-names or likely get thrashed by the superstars?
Bondy
Guest
Should Australia take a restricted squad to give PNG a fair go of winning ...
3_Hats in Sydney
Guest
What a bloody JOKE to leave Adam Reynolds out, the current NSW halfback Reynolds was in fine form this past Month. Reyno is a far better all round player than woof-woof.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Man that's a really strong squad with an eye to the future. Really pleased that Jake Friend amongst others are getting starts. After all it's a bit of a nothing game.
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
This line-up will draw a near capacity crowd to the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. The crowd favourite will be Semi no doubt. Great team from Meninga, can only assume he wants to hand PNG a thrashing to show up our regress in League rankings. He would know, in his stint on the PNGRFL payroll on massive coin doing nothing as part time head coach but then full time QLD coach.
Heich
Guest
Welcome to Papua New Guinea.