The women's Prime Minister's XIII fixture returns to the rugby league calendar for the first time since 2019 with Australia set to host Papua New Guinea at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. 

The Australian PM's XIII side last played a match against the Fiji Bulikula PM's XIII, running out 22-14 winners in Suva three years ago. 

Many NRLW stars played for Australia in that clash and have since kicked on in the competition with Quincy Dodd, Kirra Dibb, Caitlan Johnston and Bobbi Law among those who were in the side.

Since then, the COVID-19 pandemic has halted any further international games with the match set to be a historic occasion being played in Australia for the first time.

Meanwhile, the Orchids last played a Test match in 2019 also and will be looking to get back together as a group under new coach Ben Jeffries ahead of the World Cup in November.

With Jillaroos World Cup spots also up for grabs in the clash, it shapes as another chance for several Australian players to boost their chances in one final hit-out before the tournament. 

This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com

The Rundown

Team news

Australia PM's XIII: The make-up of the side will see eight Broncos and eight Titans who were knocked out of NRLW finals contention last week, along with four members of the Indigenous Women's Academy program that took part in a five-week camp at the AIS recently in Canberra. Titans veteran Steph Hancock will captain the side while the likes of Jaime Chapman, Shenae Ciesiolka, Lauren Brown and Tiana Raftstrand-Smith have all been included.

PNG PM's XIII: Coach Ben Jeffries has named nine fresh faces in the squad who will play their first international match in PNG colours on Sunday. Shirley Joe and Lilah Malabag will form the halves combination while Gloria Kaupa will captain the side. PNG star Elsie Albert won't be available due to her NRLW commitments with the Dragons on Sunday.

This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com

Key match-up

Jaime Chapman v Sera Koroi: Broncos centre Chapman will line up opposite emerging PNG star Koroi on the edge after the pair played against each other in the BMD Premiership in Queensland earlier this year. Koroi was born in the Northern Territory and scored two tries in seven games for Souths Logan earlier this year. Chapman will be hard to handle after finishing the NRLW regular season with a competition-high eight line breaks and 36 tackle busts. With a potential World Cup spot for the Jillaroos up for grabs, look for her to make a big impression.

Stat attack

In their only previous match played in 2018, both sides struggled in the Port Moresby heat with low completions but still managed 44 points overall. With limited interchange and an 80-minute match scheduled, expect plenty of frantic footy and tries scored.

This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com