Broncos, Titans NRLW stars headline PM's XIII squads

Author: Alicia Newton NRLW Reporter
Timestamp: Tue 20 Sep 2022, 04:01 PM

Titans veteran and rugby league legend Steph Hancock will lead the Australian Prime Minister's XIII side for their clash against PNG at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

Eight Titans and eight Broncos players who were knocked out of NRLW finals contention last week have been included in the 20-player squad, ensuring the four-game event will hold plenty of Queensland star power.

Hancock is the equal sixth most capped Jillaroo with 20 Tests to her name while she is also the national side's leading try-scorer with 13.

The 40-year-old enjoyed another strong personal season for the Titans in her return to rugby league this year with four tries in five games and will be joined by likes of Maroons teammates Karina Brown and Tiana Raftstrand-Smith.

Brown captained the corresponding PM's XIII side in 2019 and has retained the fullback spot for the match.

The Broncos will have stars Jaime Chapman and Tallisha Harden on show with young gun Jada Ferguson to partner Titan Lauren Brown in the halves.

Jillaroos legend Steph Hancock will lead the Australian Prime Minister's XIII side on Sunday. ©NRL Photos

Jillaroos winger Shakiah Tungai, who scored a hat-trick in the 2018 Prime Minister's XIII match in PNG, has been included on the extended bench.

Four players have also earned call-ups for the match after recently impressing at the Indigenous Women's Academy research camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

The match is the first featuring an Australian women's rugby league side since 2019 after the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the international schedule.

It will also be a crucial game for World Cup selectors with players on the cusp of selection looking to stake late claims to be picked in the Jillaroos squad next month.

"This is a very strong squad," Australian PM's XIII coach Brad Donald said.

"We have a mix of very experienced players as well as some of our up-and-coming young players who I’m very pleased to see being given this opportunity."

Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea have named their Prime Minister's XIII squad with former Eels NRLW hooker Therese Aiton included in the squad.

The Orchids also have former Broncos development player Jessikah Reeves and former Dragons squad member Shellie Long listed on the interchange.

PNG powerhouse Elsie Albert will be available for the side due to her commitments with the Dragons in the NRLW semi-finals on Sunday.

Round 2 - Round 2 - Sunday 25 Sep

Full Time

AUS PM XIII

PNG Orchids

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for AUS PM XIII is number 1 Karina Brown

Fullback for Papua New Guinea is number 1 Joanne Lagona
Winger for AUS PM XIII is number 2 Emily Bass

Winger for Papua New Guinea is number 2 Anika Butler
Centre for AUS PM XIII is number 3 Jaime Chapman

Centre for Papua New Guinea is number 3 Belinda Gwasamun
Centre for AUS PM XIII is number 4 Shenae Ciesiolka

Centre for Papua New Guinea is number 4 Sera Koroi
Winger for AUS PM XIII is number 5 Baylee Davies

Winger for Papua New Guinea is number 5 Shae Yvonne De La Cruz
Five-Eighth for AUS PM XIII is number 6 Jada Ferguson

Five-Eighth for Papua New Guinea is number 6 Shirley Joe
Halfback for AUS PM XIII is number 7 Shakiah Tungai

Halfback for Papua New Guinea is number 7 Lilah Malabag

Forwards

Prop for AUS PM XIII is number 8 Ahlivia Ingram

Prop for Papua New Guinea is number 8 Gloria Kaupa
Hooker for AUS PM XIII is number 9 Lauren Brown

Hooker for Papua New Guinea is number 9 Roswita Kapo
Prop for AUS PM XIII is number 10 Stephanie Hancock

Prop for Papua New Guinea is number 10 Talitha Kunjil
2nd Row for AUS PM XIII is number 11 Zara Canfield

2nd Row for Papua New Guinea is number 11 Carol Humeu
2nd Row for AUS PM XIII is number 12 Tallisha Harden

2nd Row for Papua New Guinea is number 12 Veronica Waula
Lock for AUS PM XIII is number 13 Sareka Mooka

Lock for Papua New Guinea is number 13 Essay Banu

Interchange

Interchange for AUS PM XIII is number 14 Sophie Holyman

Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 14 Martha Molowia
Interchange for AUS PM XIII is number 15 Jessika Elliston

Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 15 Jessikah Reeves
Interchange for AUS PM XIII is number 16 Laikha Clarke

Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 16 Michelle John
Interchange for AUS PM XIII is number 17 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith

Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 17 Shellie Long

Reserves

Reserve for AUS PM XIII is number 18 Dannii Perese

Reserve for Papua New Guinea is number 18 Therese Aiton
Reserve for AUS PM XIII is number 19 Libby Surha

Reserve for Papua New Guinea is number 19 Bertshiba Awoi
Reserve for AUS PM XIII is number 20 Tawana Togo

Reserve for Papua New Guinea is number 20 Emily Veivers