The ARLC have confirmed the men's and women's Prime Minister's XIII teams to play Papua New Guinea next weekend.
Both matches will be played the day before the grand final, giving players eliminated from finals contention a valuable hit out ahead of the World Cup squads being named on the Monday morning after the NRL and NRLW decider, while handing others experience at international level.
The matches - to be played against a Papua New Guinea side - take on extra significance this year ahead of not only the World Cup to be held in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea from October 15, but also the arrival of the PNG Chiefs, who can begin talking to all off-contract players on November 1 this year ahead of their arrival into the NRL at the start of 2028.
The men's side features a number of hopefuls for the World Cup squad, with it understood that Jojo Fifita, Toby Couchman, David Fifita and Hamish Stewart, potentially among others, are in the 40-man extended squad that is yet to be announced.
Elsewhere, William Kennedy, Nick Meaney, Billy Walters and Kurt Mann earn rewards for years of consistent form to hand the team some experience as they travel to Port Moresby.
The women's team to head to Port Moresby is dominated by Eels and Dragons players, with each team providing half a dozen to the 20-woman squad, while the Sharks have four.
ARLC and NRL CEO Peter V'Landys labelled the group of players ambassadors for the sport and country.
“The players selected are some of the best players in the game,” Mr V'landys said.
“Not only do they have the opportunity to represent their country, they will be ambassadors for Australia and for Rugby League. They will change lives for the better.
“On behalf of the Commission, I congratulate them on their selection.”
The NRL have also confirmed Ben Te'o will coach the men's side, while Jess Skinner will coach the women's side.
The games will be played in Port Moresby on October 3.
PM's XIII Men's team
William Kennedy (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
Jojo Fifita (Gold Coast Titans)
Jaxon Purdue (North Queensland Cowboys)
Nick Meaney (Melbourne Storm)
Braidon Burns (North Queensland Cowboys)
Ezra Mam (Brisbane Broncos)
Lachlan Galvin (Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs)
Toby Couchman (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Billy Walters (Brisbane Broncos)
Josh Curran (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Ryan Couchman (St George Illawarra Dragons)
David Fifita (c) (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Kurt Mann (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Tallyn Da Silva (Parramatta Eels)
Owen Pattie (Canberra Raiders)
Nathan Brown (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Tom Chester (North Queensland Cowboys)
Jock Madden (Wests Tigers)
Josh Kerr (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Hamish Stewart (St George Illawarra Dragons)
PM's XIII Women's team
Ahlivia Ingram (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Andie Robinson (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Bree Chester (North Queensland Cowboys)
China Polata (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
Chloe Jackson (Parramatta Eels)
Georgia Hannaway (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
Jacinta Carter (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
Jada Taylor (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
Jasmin Morrissey (Parramatta Eels)
Kasey Reh (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Khyliah Gray (Parramatta Eels)
Lucy Spain (Newcastle Knights)
Montana Clifford (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Rory Owen (Parramatta Eels)
Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Tahlia O'Brien (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Taneka Todhunter (Parramatta Eels)
Tayla Preston (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Tess McWilliams (Parramatta Eels)
Tori Shipton (St George Illawarra Dragons)
