Parramatta Eels players Reed Mahoney, Mitch Moses, Clint Gutherson, Blake Ferguson and Nathan Brown have today been selected in the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII side to clash with Fiji on 11 October, making the first official Prime Minister’s XIII matches in the country.
After showing a keen interest last year, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, was again heavily involved in helping men's coach Mal Meninga pick the players for the clash.
Sharks back-rower Wade Graham will captain the men's team and is one of five players to have represented Australia. The side includes 12 debutants.
“The Prime Minister’s XIII match is a key match in the representative calendar for a number of reasons,” Meninga said.
“It’s part of the representative pathway that rewards the players strong performances from the premiership season, as well as showcasing the positive impact rugby league has for communities throughout the Pacific.
“The Prime Minister and I had some discussions recently about the make up of the side and believe we’ve struck a solid balance of youth and experience for next Friday’s fixture in Suva.”
Both the men’s and women’s side will travel to Brisbane next Monday (7th October), before departing to Fiji the following day (Tuesday).
Australian PM’s XIII Men’s Squad
Clint Gutherson - Parramatta Eels
Kyle Feldt - North Queensland Cowboys
Paul Momirovski - Wests Tigers
Brad Parker - Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Blake Ferguson - Parramatta Eels
Cody Walker - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Mitchell Moses - Parramatta Eels
Paul Vaughan - St George Illawarra Dragons
Ben Hunt - St George Illawarra Dragons
Payne Haas - Brisbane Broncos
Wade Graham © - Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Tyson Frizell - St George Illawarra Dragons
Jake Trbojevic - Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Jai Arrow - Gold Coast Titans
Reuben Garrick - Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
David Fifita - Brisbane Broncos
Reed Mahoney - Parramatta Eels
Nathan Brown - Parramatta Eels
Chad Townsend - Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Thomas Flegler - Brisbane Broncos
Coach: Mal Meninga
