International rugby league comes early for 2022, as Australian fans get a taste of this year’s upcoming Rugby League World Cup as the PNG Kumuls v Prime Minister’s XIII clash returns and is being played in Australia for the first time at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
Although the game looks more one-sided than usual, with Australia naming a very strong side, and PNG limited to second tier players from Australia, it will no doubt still be fiercely fought clash and the Kumuls wlll give it everything.
Perhaps the Kumuls intensity will surprise the NRL regulars, despite the apparent gulf in NRL experience and quality.
But PNG shouldn’t be under-estimated, as their win over a much stronger Fiji proved earlier in the year. However this Australian side looks a little or a lot stronger than Fiji.
READ REPORT – PNG Beat Fiji in Pacific Test in July.
So the result on paper looks a foregone conclusion, but looking ahead to the World Cup in October the Kumuls still have some NRL superstars to come, so this game is an excellent opportunity for some of the fringe players to take their hand up to get on that plane to England. Just like how McKenzie Yei came from obscurity to star in the game v Fiji, who knows how many of the Kumuls players from this Sunday’s clash will burst onto the scene.
So PNG fans should see the PNG Kumuls v Prime Minister’s XIII clash for what it is, another great test against rugby league’s strongest nation, and a chance to see a new potential Kumuls star that can feature alongside Justin Olam, Lachlan Lam and hopefully Alex Johnston in the World Cup.
And how appropriate we have the PNG Kumuls v Prime Minister’s XIII clash this season, not forgetting that new Australian PM Anthony Albanese stepped in when the Mackay Cutters appeared to be withdrawing from their clash in PNG (the first in three years) in August. if that’s not a PM who is genuine rugby league fan, then who is. He has also been an friend of a PNG NRL bid by the way. But back to this weekend’s match.
Our PNG Kumuls v Prime Minister’s XIII preview will continue, going through the PNG side in detail, listing the Prime Minister’s XIII team, and have a history of the PNG Kumuls v Prime Minister’s XIII clashes. And stay tuned for the match report after the game.
PNG SIDE TO TAKE ON PRIME MINISTER’S XIII
| 1 | Edene Gebbie | Townsville Blackhawks |
| 2 | Jimmy Ngutlik | Western Suburbs Magpies |
| 3 | Brandon Nima | PNG Hunters |
| 4 | Rodrick Tai | PNG Hunters |
| 5 | Leon Undupia | Mendi Muruks |
| 6 | Judah Rimbu | PNG Hunters |
| 7 | Kyle Laybutt | Townsville Blackhawks |
| 8 | McKenzie Yei | Central Queensland Capras |
| 9 | Wartovo Puara | PNG Hunters |
| 10 | Sylvester Namo | PNG Hunters |
| 11 | Nixon Putt | Central Queensland Capras |
| 12 | Dan Russell | Brisbane Tigers |
| 13 | Keven Appo | PNG Hunters |
| 14 | Wesser Tenza | PNG Hunters |
| 15 | Emmanuel Waine | PNG Hunters |
| 16 | Zev John | Central Queensland Capras |
| 17 | Francis Kembis | PNG Hunters |
| 18 | Cruise Ten | Souths Logan Magpies |
| 19 | Sherwin Tanabi | PNG Hunters |
| 20 | Epel Kapinias | Wynnum Manly Seagulls |
So the PNG side is missing NRL and overseas stars, but the team above has the opportunity to shine and prove their case for the Rugby League World Cup.
There will be of course some discussion about the number of PNG Hunters in the team, but despite missing the finals, the Hunters did finish the 2022 Queensland Cup season well, with three wins and a draw in their last five games including a win over the high flying Burleigh Bears and a draw with Townsville.
Reward for the three Central Capras PNG players, who helped drive the Capras into finals football for the time time in a long time or ever, depending on the records you can find. Nixon Putt’s move from the Devils to Capras may not have brought a premiership that Norths won in 2021, but it hasn’t stopped the PNG second rower starring. Nixon Putt is the player to watch in our opinion. He has been one of PNG’s best in recent tests and was superb against Fiji. He will cause the Australian side plenty of trouble. He also made the top six for run metres in the Queensland Cup in 2022, the only forward at the top. Throw in second best for post contact metres and top for offloads and you can see how Nixon Putt is going to be a key player.
His Capras team mate McKenzie Yei was the breakout star of the Fiji test, and he is rewarded with a starting berth this time.
The always underrated Kyle Laybutt returns to play halfback, and he was in our opinion one of the best v Fiji as well. The way he continually dealt with a charging Viliame Kikau gives confidence he can hold his own against Australia. Add to that he has a great kicking game and will be a good organiser for the Kumuls. Judah Rimbu is a great prospect also, and will hopefully learn a lot from the match.
Epel Kapinias is named in the reserves, and we are hoping he makes the final cut. Kapinias was the Hunters best in 2021 and could have pushed for NRL in 2022 but he was dropped from the Hunters setup. Thankfully he managed to find a berth with the Wynnum Seagulls and this match provides another chance for him to show his enormous talent for rugby league fans and NRL scouts.
Edene Gebbie at fullback could produce some magic with the ball, but the deadly accurate kicking game of Daly Cherry-Evans, and the monster bombs from Matt Burton could give the PNG fullback a very hard job.
Good also to see Leon Undupia selected from the local Digicel Cup, and pity the timing of this match doesn’t allow for more potential stars that a lot of PNG fans in Australia have yet to see.
PRIME MINISTER’S XIII TEAM
| 1 | Daine Laurie |
| 2 | Josh Addo-Carr |
| 3 | Selwyn Cobbo |
| 4 | Zac Lomax |
| 5 | Jojo Fifita |
| 6 | Matt Burton |
| 7 | Daly Cherry-Evans |
| 8 | Tino Fa’asuamaleaui |
| 9 | Ben Hunt |
| 10 | Thomas Flegler |
| 11 | Nat Butcher |
| 12 | Angus Crichton |
| 13 | Josh King |
| 14 | Max King |
| 15 | Beau Fermor |
| 16 | Jake Simpkin |
| 17 | Luke Garner |
| 18 | Josh Curran |
| 19 | Jake Averillo |
| 20 | Sam Walker |
Quite the strong side has been named, the halves in particular look a real strong point.
Also the Kumuls will have their work cut out for them in the pack with the size and skill of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui leading the way up the middle.
Out wide the Roosters second rowers and centres named will also cause the PNG side plenty of headaches, Selwyn Cobbo and Angus Crichton in particular look like real trouble for the Kumuls.
PNG v PRIME MINISTER’S XIII RESULTS HISTORY
| Year | Date | Team | Result | Score | Score | Opposition | City |
| 2005 | Sep 18th | Papua New Guinea | L | 0 | 34 | PM XIII | Port Moresby |
| 2006 | Sep 30th | Papua New Guinea | L | 8 | 28 | PM XIII | Port Moresby |
| 2007 | Sep 23rd | Papua New Guinea | D | 24 | 24 | PM XIII | Port Moresby |
| 2008 | Sep 28th | Papua New Guinea | L | 30 | 54 | PM XIII | Port Moresby |
| 2009 | Sep 27th | Papua New Guinea | L | 18 | 42 | PM XIII | Port Moresby |
| 2010 | Sep 26th | Papua New Guinea | L | 18 | 30 | PM XIII | Port Moresby |
| 2011 | Sep 25th | Papua New Guinea | L | 22 | 36 | PM XIII | Lae |
| 2012 | Sep 23rd | Papua New Guinea | L | 18 | 24 | PM XIII | Port Moresby |
| 2013 | Sep 29th | Papua New Guinea | L | 10 | 50 | PM XIII | Kokopo |
| 2014 | Oct 12th | Papua New Guinea | L | 16 | 34 | PM XIII | Kokopo |
| 2015 | Sep 26th | Papua New Guinea | L | 12 | 40 | PM XIII | Port Moresby |
| 2016 | Sep 24th | Papua New Guinea | L | 0 | 58 | PM XIII | Port Moresby |
| 2017 | Sep 23rd | Papua New Guinea | L | 8 | 48 | PM XIII | Port Moresby |
| 2018 | Oct 6th | Papua New Guinea | L | 18 | 34 | PM XIII | Port Moresby |
PNG v PRIME MINISTER’S XIII PREDICTION
As much as we’d like to tip a huge PNG upset, there’s such a gulf in experience that the NRL rich Prime Minister’s XIII should win by 50 points. But we still believe that this PNG side will give plenty for a while, so the margin won’t be that big.
AUSTRALIA’S PMS XIII by 32
