PNG PMs XIII announce team (Post Courier 21/09/17)

The PNG Prime Ministers XIII for 2017

BY FIDELIS SUKINA

LAE Tigers captain Charlie Simon will captain the PNG Prime Ministers XIII side.

The PNG side will play the Australian PMs XIII team on Saturday 23 September 2017.

[Papua New Guinea Vice Minister for Sport and APEC Wesley Raminai made the announcement at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby yesterday.

Among the changes was the announcment of NRL contracted player Kato Ottio as replacment for Thimothy Lomai, who failed the medical test after sustaining a shoulder injury during the Digicel Cup Grand Final.

Coach Stranley Tepend said: “The selctors have done a good job and have given me a good side to work with.

“There are a few debutants but we also have some Hunters players to take teh lead with the core from the Digicel Cup,” he added.

He said it’s tough to prepare a side a short-notice, but if they get their mind-sets right anythng can happen on the day.

Aaron Woods captain of Australian PMs XIII coach, Coach Mal Meninga,
Steven Nightingale PNG PMs XIII coach captain Charlie Simon

PMs XIII assistant coach Steven Nightingale said they have drummed it into the players that it’s all about rugby, business on the field first and worry about who they are after the game.

“We have belief in the players.

“If they (Australians) don’t have the ball they can’t score points… we just have to do our part and complete our sets and put the ball down in their half,” Nightingale said.

He added that the team has a lot to prove especially with a lot of negative talk on social media.

The PNG PM’s side is sponsored by the National Gaming Board of Control.

The PM’s 13 team



1. Joe Joshua – Tigers (fullback)

2. Brendon Gutano – Vipers (Wing)

3. Stanford Talita – Wigmen (Center)

4. Junior Rau – Wigmen (Center)

5. Karo Kauna Jnr – Hunters (Wing)

6. Jason Mission – Gurias (Five Eight)

7. Charilie Simon – Tigers (Half Back)

8. Junior Rop – Tigers (Prop)

9. Stanley Olo – Gurias (Dummy Half)

10. Dilbert Issac – Gurias (Prop)

11. Tuvi Lepan – Gurias (Second Row)

12. Kato Ottio-Mounties (Second Row)

13. John Andy – Tigers (Lock)

                    Reserves

14. Sailas Gahuna – Hunters

15. William Mone – Hunters

16. Eddie Daffa – Lahanis

17. Muka Peter Kulu – Hunters

18. Joshua Nane – Mioks