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
1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Josh Addo-Carr 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 4. Zac Lomax 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Cody Walker 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Jake Trbojevic 9. Ben Hunt 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Hudson Young 12. Reuben Cotter 13. Cameron Murray
Interchange: 14. Reece Robson 15. Nicho Hynes 16. Tom Dearden 17. Alofiana Khan-Periera Reserves: 18. Cameron McInnes 19. Emre Guler 20. Michael Molo
Papua New Guinea
1. Treigh Stewart 2. Robert Derby 3. Rodrick Tai 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Nene MacDonald 6. Gary James 7. Kyle Laybutt 8. Epel Kapinias 9. Judah Rimbu 10. Valentine Richard 11. Nixon Putt 12. Jeremiah Simbiken 13. Cruise Ten
Interchange: 14. Morea Morea 15. Junior Rop 16. Tommy Moide 17. Seal Kalo
Reserves: 18. Benji Kot
WHAT TIME DOES THE GAME START AND HOW CAN I WATCH?
The men’s game at Santos National Football Stadium is scheduled to get underway at 4pm (AEST) on Saturday. You can watch it live on Kayo Sports and Fox Sports Channel 502.
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