PMs XIII announcement

The Australian Prime Minister, Hon. Scott Morrison MP, has today announced the Prime Minister's XIII sides to take part in the upcoming PM's XIII matches against the Fiji Prime Minister's side in Suva, Fiji.

It will mark the first occasion the Australian Prime Minister's men's and women's teams have played in Fiji.

Cronulla Sutherland Sharks skipper Wade Graham will captain the men's side, which includes 12 debutants.

The squad includes five players to have represented the Australian Kangaroos, with ten players taking part in this year's 2019 Holden State of Origin Series.

Mr Morrison said this year's men's and women's squads, which he had put together with respective coaches Mal Meninga and Brad Donald, will have a huge impact on and off the field in Fiji.

"This year's Prime Minister's XIII squads focus on youth and experience," the Prime Minister said.

"I wanted bring together veterans who have served the game well over a number of years with the brightest young talents that have come onto the rugby league scene.

"Mal, Brad and I are confident that we've come up with two really strong and well-balanced teams and I'm looking forward to seeing them in action in Fiji.

"And just as importantly as the games is that players, coaches and officials from both teams will be utilising their visit to spread the message of our domestic and family violence campaigns."

PM's XIII men's Coach Mal Meninga said: "The Prime Minister's XIII match is a key match in the representative calendar for a number of reasons.

"It's part of the representative pathway that rewards the players strong performances from the Premiership season, as well as showcasing the positive impact rugby league has for communities throughout the Pacific.

"The Prime Minister and I had some discussions recently about the make up of the side and believe we've struck a solid balance of youth and experience for next Friday's fixture in Suva."

The Australian PM's XIII Women's side will be captained by Sydney Roosters and Queensland player Karina Brown.

The side contains a number of NRLW players, with an additional XX playing in the Holden Women's Origin at North Sydney Oval.

"We had 13 players from last year's PM's XIII women's squad play in the NRLW this year, which shows the elite pathway is truly working," PM's XIII Women's Coach Brad Donald said.

"It's an incredible opportunity for these women to be on show, empowering communities and women throughout to the Pacific both on and off the field."

Both teams will travel to Brisbane next Monday (7th October), before departing to Fiji the following day (Tuesday).

The Prime Minister's XIII men's and women's squads are supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Australian PM's XIII Men's Squad

Clint Gutherson

Parramatta Eels

Kyle Feldt

North Queensland Cowboys

Paul Momirovski

Wests Tigers

Brad Parker

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

Blake Ferguson

Parramatta Eels

Cody Walker

South Sydney Rabbitohs

Mitchell Moses

Parramatta Eels

Paul Vaughan

St George Illawarra Dragons

Ben Hunt

St George Illawarra Dragons

Payne Haas

Brisbane Broncos

Wade Graham ©

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Tyson Frizell

St George Illawarra Dragons

Jake Trbojevic

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

Jai Arrow

Gold Coast Titans

Reuben Garrick

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

David Fifita

Brisbane Broncos

Reed Mahoney

Parramatta Eels

Nathan Brown

Parramatta Eels

Chad Townsend

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Thomas Flegler

Brisbane Broncos

Coach: Mal Meninga

Australian PM's XIII Women's Squad

Tess Staines

Riverina

Brydie Parker

Sydney Roosters

Patricia Raikadroka

Mounties

Shanice Parker

Sydney Roosters

Karina Brown ©

Sydney Roosters

Tayla Preston

Cronulla Sutherland Sharks

Quincy Dodd

Sydney Roosters

Samantha Economos

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs

Michaela Peck

West Brisbane Panthers

Taimane Levu

Brothers Ipswich

Kaitlyn Phillips

Mounties

Jasmine Allende

Sydney Roosters

Caitlan Johnston

Sydney Roosters

Brydie Parker

Sydney Roosters

Laken Paitai

Burleigh Bears

Kaarla Cowan

Cronulla Sutherland Sharks

Brianna Clark

West Brisbane Panthers

Christian Pio

St Mary's Saints

Kristine Vaalepu

West Brisbane Panthers

Asipau Mafi

West Brisbane Panthers

Coach: Brad Donald

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