PM’s XIII LIVE: Cherry-Evans’ final chance to send message to Meninga ahead of Pacific Tests

While three teams still remain in the hunt for this year’s NRL premiership, a host of the rugby league’s biggest names will also be in action in Papua New Guinea on Saturday afternoon.

Eight players from last year’s Kangaroos squad that won the World Cup will feature in the Australian Men’s Prime Minister’s XIII team that has been named to face the PNG Prime Minister’s XIII.

The game, which takes place at 4pm in Port Moresby at Santos National Football Stadium, shapes as halfback Daly Cherry-Evans’ best chance to push his claims for inclusion in the 20-man squad for the upcoming Pacific tri-series.

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ULTIMATE GUIDE: Everything you need to know ahead of Australia vs PNG

Mal Meninga appears confident that Cherry-Evans will feature in the squad given his versatility, although it seems unlikely he will suit up in the halfback jumper.

Rather, the stunning form of Panthers playmaker Nathan Cleary makes him pretty much a lock for the position.

Nevertheless, Cherry-Evans has one final opportunity to prove he still has what it takes to dominate at representative level on Saturday afternoon.

He will be one of several stars pushing for a spot in Meninga’s 20-man squad while there are also a host of young, up-and-coming players in Saturday’s game who could be a part of future Kangaroos teams.

“This squad is a blend of experience from the World Cup last year, additional State of Origin players from this year, as well as younger players who we would like to see at this level,” Australia coach Mal Meninga said in a statement when teams were named.

“There was fairly unanimous agreement across the selections and I can’t wait to see this group test themselves in the green and gold.”

TEAMS — Men’s XII

Australia