National Selectors have named a Prime Ministers XIII team based on both experience and youth in preparation for the annual rugby league fixture against an Australian select side later this month.
PNG Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka when announcing the team said that the squad is made up of Digicel Cup players and has one confederate player. He said the delay in announcing the team was to allow for protocol whereby the squad would be sent to the Prime Minister before it was released.
Players from the SP Hunters team have not been considered because they are involved in the Intrust Super Cup finals series. The Prime Ministers XIII game is on September 26 at the Sir John Guise Stadium under lights.
The annual Prime Ministers XIII fixture is preceded by an Under 16 international match between a New South Wales team and PNG select side. The PNG Under 16 side, selected following the National Confederates championships in Lae early this month, was also announced today.
The PNG PM XIII side in alphabetical order is:
1. Watson Boas (Agmark Gurias), 2. Radley Brawa (TNA Lions), 3. Sydney Fred (Lae Snax Tigers), 4. Benjamin Hetra (Hela Wigmen), 5. Andrew Ipi (Hela Wigmen), 6. Chris Jerry (Agmark Gurias), 7. Noel Joel (Lae Snax Tigers), 8. Philemon Kimisive (Goroka Lahanis), 9. David Loko (Lae Snax Tigers), 10. Sam Maniai (Northern Confederate), 11. Isaac Mell (Mendi Muruks), 12. Moses Meninga (Mt Hagen Eagles), 13. David Missian (Agmark Gurias), 14. Justin Olam (Lae Snax Tigers), 15. Daniel Pai (Agmark Gurias), 16. Sebastine Pandia (SNS Port Moresby Vipers), 17. Albert Patak, 18. Junior Rau (Mt Hagen Eagles), 19. Enock Sine (TNA Lions), 20. Charlie Simon (Lae Snax Tigers).
Team officials are: Stanley Tepend – Lae Snax Tigers (Head Coach), James Kops – Mt Hagen Eagles (Assistant Coach) George ToBata – Agmark Gurias (Trainer), Toua Kohu – Southern Confederate (Assistant Trainer), Jacob Angra (Manager)
