Suncorp to host PM’s 13 clash

THE national men’s and women’s representative rugby league teams have been backed to step up in their upcoming Prime Minister’s 13 and England World Cup campaigns.
The Australian Rugby League Commission on Friday announced that Suncorp Stadium would host the men’s and women’s Prime Minister’s 13 matches between Papua New Guinea and Australia on Sept 25. They will be the first PM’s 13 matches since 2019 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Congratulating the final national women’s World Cup squad, PNG Rugby Football League chief executive Stanley Hondina acknowledged how far the Santos-backed side had come. “We extend our appreciation to head coach Ben Jefferies and his team for a great effort in getting this far,” he said.
“We started with the ‘road to the World Cup’ concept when we realised that our women were disadvantaged as they didn’t have a systematic process to pick the team like our male structure.
“We are confident of the selected squad and the depth of experience we have in our coaching staff and know they will do PNG proud in the World Cup later this year in the United Kingdom.
“We wish them all the best in their PM’s 13 and the World Cup campaigns as the nation and rugby league followers stand behind you in this journey.” Orchids chairman Okaro Yogi said she was happy with the final 23-man squad.
“You have all proven through your own individual merits to be named in the final squad,” she told the Orchids.
“I know you all will wear the Orchids jersey with pride and make us all proud. We will all be cheering you on.
“The World Cup preparations would not have become a reality without the support of our major sponsors.
“On behalf of the Orchids, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to naming rights sponsor Santos and platinum sponsors Digicel PNG, National Gaming Control Board and Bank South Pacific Financial Group Limited for backing the Orchids.
“A special mention and gratitude to PacificAus Sports for its support.”
The Orchids management are Jeffries, assistant coaches Della Audama and Meg Ward, team manager Cassie Davis, media manager Joanna Lester, assistant team manager and media assistant Urith Toa, performance head Tandia Wood, strength and conditioning coach Moses Guise, performance analyst Wade Sinclair, head physiotherapist and trainer Carly Jennar, physiotherapist Siyih Johang and wellbeing manager Dr Jo Lukins.