Segeyaro in Aussies PM’s XIII squad

 FORMER Papua New Guinea Prime Minister’s XIII player James Segeyaro, pictured, has been named in the Australian PM’s train-on squad.

The Australian Rugby League Commission yesterday released a list of players from clubs not involved in the NRL finals, with the 24-year-old Goroka-born hooker included in the 30-man squad.

Segeyaro is one of four Penrith Panthers in the squad and is a debutant along with teammate Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Wests Tigers’ Mitchell Moses, Titans’ James Roberts for the match against PNG in Port Moresby on Saturday, September 26.

Segeyaro played for the PNG PM’s XIII in 2013 before switching allegiance to Australia in 2014 by declaring himself available for the Queensland Maroons.

The team will be coached by Panthers’ mentor Ivan Cleary (above).

More players will be added to the squad from the teams eliminated in Week 1 of the finals series ahead of the naming of a final team on September 15.

Cleary, who will coach the team for the first time, said he was excited to work with a squad featuring such talent.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity, and I’m particularly looking forward to working with some of the younger players who have bright futures,” Cleary said.

“This will be an important match for the players.  This may be a stepping stone for some ahead of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.”

The train-on squad: Jake Mamo, Dane Gagai, Jack Stockwell (Newcastle Knights), James Tedesco, David Nofoaluma, Mitchell Moses, Aaron Woods, Curtis Sironen (Wests Tigers), James Roberts, Kane Elgey, Kierran Moseley, Beau Falloon, Ryan James (Gold Coast Titans), Josh Mansour, James Segeyaro, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Tyrone Peachey (Penrith Panthers), Jack Wighton, Edrick Lee, Jarrod Croker, Shannon Boyd, Paul Vaughan, Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders), Will Hopoate, Tepai Moeroa (Parramatta Eels), Chad Townsend, Nathan Friend (Warriors), Tom Trbojevic, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake Trbojevic (Manly- Sea Eagles). – NRL