The PNG Prime Minister’s 13 team was named today at the National Football Stadium.
The Team consists of a good mixture of players from the SP PNG Hunters, the Intercity Cup and overseas based players.
The Theme for this year is Stop Violence.
Two players from the recently ended, National Confederate Championships have been included in the team. Yoks Bagave from the Southern Confederation Senior Men’s team and Muka Peter Kulu from the Southern Confederation U20 team.
Bland Abavu, Ase Boas, Butler Morris, Justin Olam, Brandy Peter Wartovo Puara Jnr and Esau Siune have been picked from the Hunters. While Ray Thompson, Willie Minoga and Rhys Martin have been chosen from the Townsville Blackhawks, and David Mead and Nene McDonald are set to join the team from the Gold Coast Titans.
Minister for Sports, Justin Tkatchenko, says Rugby League in Papua New Guinea has come a long way in a short period of time, and with the recent success of the Kumuls early this year, they will be using it as a boost to take on Australia.
They will also be using this to select a team for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
National Gaming Control Board has secured the naming rights of the team.
Speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister’s office was Chief of Staff, George Bopi, who says the PM is excited with the team and is looking forward to the match.
The team will be coached by Michael Marum and assisted by Stanley Tepend.
Two curtain raiser matches will be played on game day, the first being the PNG U16 team who will play an Australian team and the Port Moresby Rugby League Women’s Grand Final match.
The team goes into camp this weekend for the match on September 24. Tickets go on sale this week Wednesday at big rooster and Stop and shop outlets in Port Moresby.
ABAVU, Bland SP Hunters
ALU, Ila Rabaul Agmark Gurias
AWANE, Pasu Lae Snax Tigers
BAGAVE, Yoks Southern Confederation Seniors
BENFORD, Anderson Lae Snax Tigers
BERNARD, Konnie Rabaul Agmark Gurias
BOAS, Ase SP Hunters
BRAWA, Bradley TNA Simbu Lions
GOMA, Bernard Gulf Isapea
JOEL, Noel Lae Snax Tigers
KALAS, Mafu Lae Snax Tigers
KULU, Muka Peter Southern Confederation U’20
LOKO, David Lae Snax Tigers
MARTIN Rhyse Townsville Blackhawks
McDONALD Nene Gold Coast Titans
MEAD David Gold Coast Titans
MINOGA Willie Townsville Blackhawks
MORRIS, Butler SP Hunters
OLAM, Justin SP Hunters
PAUL, Kingston Enga Mioks
PETER, Brandy SP Hunters
PUARA, Wartovo Jnr SP Hunters
ROP, Junior Lae Snax Tigers
SIUNE, Esau SP Hunters
THOMPSON Ray Townsville Blackhawks
Coach: Michael Marum
A/Coach Stanley Tepend
