PNG Prime Minister's XIII
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister's XIII, or sometimes informally referred to as the PNG PM's XIII, is the name of a representative rugby league team, comprising Papua New Guinean players from the Papua New Guinea National Rugby League, PNG Hunters and other overseas clubs. The team is selected to play an annual fixture against Australian Prime Minister's XIII in Papua New Guinea in the final weeks of the rugby league season.
History
The PNG Prime Minister's XIII first played against their Australian counterparts in 2005 at Lloyd Robson Oval in the Papua New Guinean capital, Port Moresby. The team was coached in that match by former national team head coach Bob Bennett. The side has also been coached by former Papua New Guinean internationals Adrian Lam and Stanley Gene and is currently coached by Michael Marum, who played for the team in 2005.Originally played in Port Moresby, in recent years the games have been held in various locations around Papua New Guinea, including Lae and Kokopo. Unlike regular international matches, each team is allowed a five-man bench and given unlimited interchanges throughout the match.
Originally, the team was made up of players predominantly from the local Papua New Guinea National Rugby League competition. In recent years, players from the National Rugby League, Intrust Super Cup and English Championship have also been selected.
The match is also used to promote rugby league, as well as humanitarian causes such as HIV and AIDS awareness, among the Papua New Guinean community.
The PNG PM's XIII has never won a match against Australia since the annual fixture commenced, but managed a 24–24 draw in 2007, after trailing 20–0 at half time. In 2019, the PNG PM's XIII did not play the Australian side, who instead faced the Fiji Prime Minister's XIII.
Current squad
Men
The team for the match on 12 October 2025 was initially announced on social media on 6 October 2025. The NRL later posted the team. Nene McDonald was appointed captain. Tallies in the table include the 2025 match.Notes:
- Kyle Laybutt was a late withdrawal. He was replaced at halfback by Gairo Varo with Sanny Wabo coming into the list of twenty players.
- The shading in the Clubs column of the above table indicates players selected from teams outside the NRL season
- * First Tier
- ** Salford Red Devils : Macdonald
- ** Castleford Tigers : Horne
- * Second Tier
- ** Papua New Guinea Hunters : Alu, Glare, Kapinias Mathias, Max, Rimbu, and Voro
- ** Central Queensland Capras : Morea, Putt, and Richard
- ** Brisbane Tigers : Namo
- ** Townsville Blackhawks : Dotoi
- ** Tweed Heads Seagulls : Alick
- * Third Tier
- ** Southern Suburbs Townsville Bulls : Laybutt
- Player profiles were published on the NRL website on the morning of the match.
Women
The team for the match on 12 October 2025 was announced on social media on 6 October 2025.The NRL later posted the team.Tallies in the table include the 2025 match.
Notes:
- Player profiles were published on the NRL website on the morning of the match.
Results
2012
Players
Captains
- Keith Peters
- Stanley Gene
- Paul Aiton
- Charlie Wabo
- Israel Eliab
- Albert Patak
- Ase Boas
- Charlie Simon
- David Mead
- Wartovo Puara
- Kyle Laybutt
- Judah Rimbu
- Nene Macdonald
Coaches
- Bob Bennett
- Adrian Lam
- Stanley Gene
- Michael Marum
- Mal Meninga
- Stanley Tepend
- Justin Holbrook
- Jason Demetriou
Records
Individual
Most games- * 8 Rodney Pora
- * 7 Paul Aiton
- * 7 Jessie Joe Nandye
- * 7 Charlie Wabo
- * 6 Larsen Marabe Most tries
- * 3 Nickson Kolo
- * 3 Jessie Joe Nandye
- * 3 Menzie YereMost points
- * 16 Glen Nami
- * 12 Nickson Kolo
- * 12 Jessie Joe Nandye
- * 12 Menzie YereMost tries in a match
- * 2 Tom O'Reilly
- * 2 Stanley Gene
- * 2 Menzie Yere
- * 2 Nickson Kolo
- * 2 Thompson Teteh Most points in a match
- * 10 Rhyse Martin