The Marape/Rosso government is serious in taking the Ministry for Tourism, Art and Culture to the next level by considering and including music as an integral part of it. How far have we thread the road of music as musicians and how far have we benefitted from music are the questions that I as Minister responsible have to answer. Minister for Tourism, Art and Culture Hon, Isi Henry Leonard expressed these views at the tribute concert hosted for the late PNG music icon and artist Steve Lahui at Elevala village on Wednesday 19th. The late Lahui who was a household name in the 80s and 90s, had passed away several weeks ago, and Mr Leonard as Minister for Tourism was attending the event to show the government’s support and share in this time of loss with the family of the late musician from Central Province. “The passing of late Steve Lahui has prompted me and allowed me to come into this occasion to make known to our people and musicians that it is about time now we all have to work together to position the music industry to where it must be and where it supposed to be. “For me as Minister, I consider it very differently at this time, today we come here to mourn but at the same time we come here to celebrate the life of Steve Lahui as a musician,” Mr Leonard said. Stressing that musicians and lyrical content makers had to be compensated for their creativity and the material they produced as artists among other content makers. He said artists needed to make money and as a responsible government, it was willing to provide the necessary platforms. As Minister, he was taking music seriously, while expressing the need to give recognition to artists and the music industry in the country. Mr Leonard paid tribute and respect to the late Steve Lahui and his family, who he described as an outstanding singer and artist from the Southern region of PNG. Minister Leonard presented Ten-Thousand-Kina (K10,000.00) from his office to the family of late Steve Lahui to help with costs and expenses of the hauskrai. Other artists that performed at the tribute concert featured, Makali, Dokona Manoka, Dika Dai and Incense Gospel band among others. Meantime, the body of the late Steve Lahui was laid to rest in his village of Barakau last week.

The Kangaroos will dedicate their World Cup match against Scotland to the memory of Redcliffe Dolphins player Liam Hampson, with a shattered Pat Carrigan vowing to play in his honour. Carrigan and a several other members of the Kangaroos squad were close to Hampson, who passed away in Barcelona this week, and the Broncos forward was visibly upset as he left early from a civic reception on Wednesday night. Australian coach Mal Meninga has given the squad a three-day break after the match against the Bravehearts and he said it would be an opportunity for Carrigan and other players to grieve for Hampson. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="840"] Kangaroos forward Pat Carrigan will play in honour of Liam Hampson[/caption]   “They are obviously affected by it,” Meninga said. “At some stage the boys who were close friends with him over here will need time to grieve and we will support them as best we possibly can. “Pat wants to get out there, so he is comfortable with that at the moment, but we are still another 24 hours away from the game so we will see that pans out. “All of the team has got a bit of time off after the game. I am not quite sure what Patty and those guys are going to do but they will have time and space to reflect in their own way. Being so far away from home too is a big thing.” Meninga asked to send a message of support to Hampson’s family before the Kangaroos captain’s run at Coventry Building Society Arena, which is home to Coventry City FC and the embattled Wasps rugby union club. The Kangaroos will wear black armbands and there will be a moment's silence for Hampson before the match. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="840"] Liam Hampson played for Tweed Heads Seagulls and Redcliffe Dolphins[/caption]   “It is tragic news. On behalf of the Kangaroos, we send our condolences back to Liam’s family and friends. It was a sad day and obviously we pay our respects,” Meninga said. “Liam’s family will be very much grieving today and for a very long period of time, so we are very much behind them. In our minds we will be playing for them tomorrow.” Hampson, 24, was reported missing by a group of friends while on a trip to Spain, with his father Brett sadly confirming his passing on Thursday. A talented hooker, who starred at schoolboy level for Keebra Park High, Hampson played for the Tweed Seagulls in 2021 and was a member of the Dolphins team that played in this year’s Hostplus Cup grand final. Source: NRL.com

Prime Minister and Tari-Pori MP James Marape has called on the people of Tari-Pori living in towns and cities in the country to return home and help to develop their district. He also called on Hela leaders and public servants to be in the province at all times. PM Marape made the call in Tari yesterday (October 20, 2022) after the swearing-in of the Tari-Pori District Development Authority (DDA) members, followed by the swearing-in of the Hela Provincial Assembly members. The Tari-Pori DDA is composed of Chairman Marape, Tari Town Mayor Andaija ‘AJ’ Jeli, Women’s Representative Theresa Punga, Business Representative Dorothy Waigima and Local Level Government (LLG) Presidents Arnold Angai (Tagali), Thomas Tari (Tebi), Zerox Oberia (Hayabuga) and Patrick Pipe (Pori). “Tari-Pori has returned me as MP for four consecutive terms since 2007 – which is the longest ever for an MP here,” PM Marape said. “It is a privilege of the highest order for me which I don’t take lightly. “I owe my political life to the people of Tari-Pori and I commit myself to a better life for them, as well as people of Hela and Papua New Guinea as a whole. “I am pleased to see that my DDA has appointed women representatives, who continue on from their previous term. “I also take this time to appeal to all people of Tari-Pori to return home and help to construct our town. “Tari is getting to be a better town with new offices, sealed roads and strengthening of the law-and-justice sector. “Tari-Pori DDA will work with the Hela Provincial Government led by Governor, Ho. Philip Undialu, to make the district and province better. “I call on Governor Undialu, members of the Hela Provincial Government, all leaders and public servants to be in the province working and we will assist from the National Government.

The Papua New Guinea–Australia Partnership will provide greater access to technical education for women and girls through the provision of a new dormitory at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (Unitech). The PGK15 million grant from the Incentive Fund will provide 100 new beds for female students across a range of academic areas. “This project is an important step towards PNG achieving our vision of becoming a modern, self-sufficient country, by improving access to high quality accredited technical education for all students, both men and women,” said Vice-Chancellor of Unitech, Dr Ora Renagi, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the project. [caption id="attachment_28771" align="alignnone" width="906"] The official launch of the project.[/caption] The PNG University of Technology is one of PNG’s leading universities, providing education across a range of disciplines including science, architecture, business studies, engineering, and mathematics. There are currently 692 female students enrolled this year, more than a 100 of whom are currently being housed off-campus due to a lack of beds. At the event, Australian High Commission Infrastructure Counsellor Simon King noted that “a qualified, well-trained and practically skilled workforce is essential in today’s modern world, and both men and women should be able to participate equally in these sectors”. The PNG-Australia Partnership is pleased to support women and girls access previously male-dominated academic streams, to help increase their employment opportunities domestically and internationally,” said Mr King. By providing safe and secure accommodation, the University will be able to meet the demand for bed space for its increasing female student intake, thus increasing the number of women entering the workforce with tertiary qualifications. [caption id="attachment_28772" align="alignnone" width="906"] Unitech Vice-Chancellor, Dr Ora Renagi (left), Morobe Governor, Luther Wenge (centre) and Australian High Commission Counsellor-Infrastructure, Simon King.[/caption] “We want to see more women graduating from technical disciplines, so that they can pursue employment in highly specialised technical fields,” said Dr Renagi. Unitech students and graduates were heavily involved in the recently opened ANGAU Memorial Hospital Redevelopment project. With further Australian commitments in Lae, such as the redevelopment of the Lae Tidal Basin, there will be increasing demand for women and men from relevant technical fields to support the delivery of those projects. The new dormitory is expected to be completed in December 2023, in time for occupancy at the beginning of the school year in 2024. The PNG-Australia Partnership has provided around PGK70 million under the current phase of the Incentive Fund, aimed at increasing and improving access to education across the country.

Liz Truss will become the shortest-serving prime minister in Britain's history after bowing to pressure from her own MPs to resign following a disastrous start to her premiership. It follows weeks of plummeting opinion polls and turmoil in financial markets following her government's mini-budget at the end of last month. She will remain as prime minister until a leadership election is completed within the next week to find her replacement, and there's speculation Boris Johnson is considering a bid to return to the top job. Speaking outside the door of Number 10 Downing Street, Ms Truss accepted that she could not deliver the promises she made when she was running for Conservative Party leader, having lost the faith of her party. "I recognise though, given the situation, I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party. I have therefore spoken to His Majesty the King to notify him that I am resigning as leader of the Conservative Party," she said. "This morning I met the chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady. "We've agreed that there will be a leadership election to be completed within the next week. [caption id="attachment_28765" align="alignnone" width="589"] The resignation speech British Prime Minister Liz Truss made outside Number 10. [/caption] "This will ensure that we remain on a path to deliver our fiscal plans and maintain our country's economic stability and national security. "I will remain as prime minister until a successor has been chosen." Ms Truss, who has been in power for just 45 days, will become the shortest-serving prime minister in Britain's history – George Canning previously held the record, serving 119 days in 1827 before he died. Earlier on Friday, party officials had gathered at Downing Street while a growing number of her own MPs called on her to quit. Appointed by Queen Elizabeth II on September 6, Ms Truss was forced to sack her chancellor and closest political ally, Kwasi Kwarteng, last week and abandon almost all of her economic program after their plans for vast unfunded tax cuts crashed the pound and British bonds. Approval ratings for her and her Conservative Party collapsed. On Wednesday she lost the second of the government's four most senior ministers, when Home Secretary Suella Braverman resigned over a minor breach of the ministerial code. In her resignation letter, Ms Braverman, 42, took a thinly veiled swipe at Ms Truss's government, saying she had "serious concerns" about the government's ability to honour commitments it made to voters at the last election. "Not only have we broken key pledges that were promised to our voters, but I have had serious concerns about this government's commitment to honouring manifesto commitments, such as reducing overall migration numbers and stopping illegal migration, particularly the dangerous small boats crossings," she wrote. "It has been a great honour to serve at the Home Office. "In even the brief time that I have been here, it has been very clear that there is much to do, in terms of delivering on the priorities of the British people." [caption id="attachment_28766" align="alignnone" width="549"] British Labour leader calls for general election. [/caption] Ms Truss had also faced laughter as she tried to defend her record to parliament and saw Conservative MPs openly quarrel over policy, deepening the sense of chaos at Westminster. New Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt is now racing to find tens of billions of pounds of spending cuts to try to reassure investors and rebuild Britain's fiscal reputation as the economy heads into recession and with inflation at a 40-year high. Opposition Leader Sir Keir Starmer said the situation was "a mess" and called for a general election. "This is not just a soap opera at the top of the Tory party — it's doing huge damage to our economy and to the reputation of our country," the Labour leader said. "And the public are paying with higher prices, with higher mortgages. "So we can't have a revolving door of chaos, we can't have another experiment at the top of the Tory party." Race now on to replace Truss [caption id="attachment_28767" align="alignnone" width="701"] There is speculation former prime minister Boris Johnson may run again for the Conservative Party leadership.(AP Photo: Kirsty Wigglesworth) [/caption] A new leadership election will be completed by next Friday, October 28, with Conservative MPs having until 2pm on Monday, UK time, to nominate candidates. Candidates will need at least 100 nominations, which will mean likely only three will make the cut, given there are 359 Conservative MPs sitting in the House of Commons. If enough MPs get behind one candidate, it could knock out all other contenders before a ballot is even held and they would automatically become party leader and prime minister. However, if there are two candidates left, they will then take part in hustings before an online vote for members of the Conservative Party. "We fixed a high threshold but a threshold that should be achievable by any serious candidate who has a prospect of going through," Sir Graham Brady said. Those expected to run include Penny Mordaunt and former chancellor Rishi Sunak. Mr Hunt has ruled himself out, and The Times newspaper reported former prime minister Boris Johnson, who Ms Truss replaced, may throw his hat in the ring. A poll earlier this week showed that most members wanted Mr Johnson — who was ousted from Downing Street in July after a series of scandals — to return. Mr Johnson — who is still facing an investigation into whether he misled parliament after he and his staff held a string of parties during COVID-19 lockdowns — is believed to cutting his holiday in the Caribbean short to return to the UK this weekend. The face of the 2016 Brexit vote has loomed large over politics since he became London Mayor in 2008. He led his party to a landslide election victory in 2019 but was driven out of office in July. Several Conservative MPs have voiced their support for the former prime minister. "I hope you enjoyed your holiday boss. Time to come back," James Duddridge said. Source: ABC News

The contract of Santos PNG Orchids player Joanne Lagona has been terminated due to a breach of contract. Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) CEO Mr Stanley Hondina said, " As part of the process of building a new elite pathway for the Santos PNG Orchids is to raise and maintain  standards of conduct. This applies equally to all players and staff, and those involved in the RLWC2021 Campaign have signed contracts accordingly." "This is disappointing situation but the termination of Joanne's contract reflects the standards we expect of our national team personnel." "The systems and processes we are putting in place now for the Santos PNG Orchids will outlast all of us in our current roles and are for the benefit of future generations of Orchids. As we work hard now to set those stnadards we expect every member of the team to uphold them with the utmost respect." "We want to be globally competitive n the field, and that cannot be achieved without having the right systems and processes off the field." A decision on whether a replacement player will be added to the squad  for RLWC2022 will be made in due course."

BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) remains committed to giving young swimmers in PNG the opportunity to progress further in competitive swimming and representing the country internationally. After two years of being closed, in both Lae and Port Moresby, BSP reaffirmed this commitment in presenting K80, 000 to the PNG Swimming Inc as naming rights sponsors to the 2023 BSP National Aquatic Excellence Program and BSP/FINA Educational Clinic and the Fina World Competitions. Popular Australian NRL Club, the Brisbane Broncos as a ‘Community Partner’ of BSP was present to hand over the cheque to the PNG Swimming Inc. at the Taurama Aquatic Centre in Port Moresby. Popular Australian NRL Club, the Brisbane Broncos as a ‘Community Partner’ of BSP was present to hand over the cheque to the PNG Swimming Inc. at the Aquatic Centre in Port Moresby. Former Bronco and Australian professional rugby league footballer, Scott Prince handed over the cheque saying, “As a community partner to BSP, we are privileged to represent the biggest bank in the country in helping and encouraging the people and the community, especially children, to grow and learn about the basics of life." “One aspect of our partnership is to teach young kids to about financial literacy but not not limited to encouraging them to grow and build a career in whichever profession or sport they aspire at.” President of Papua New Guinea Swimming Inc (PNGSI) Ms Elizabeth Wells, thanked BSP and the Broncos for the support saying , “We are happy to announce that we are back in full operation providing the necessary programs and events for our young and enthusiastic swimmers.” “Through partnership, we've witnessed the enormous growth in the development of our young and upcoming sports athletes in realising their dream of representing PNG. We have a viable and productive swimming program in place in building and training our young athletes. The support has made it possible for us to continue providing pathways for new swimmers, to develop skills and a pathway to join the elite swimmers. This is a great milestone achievement for PNG Swimming Inc," said Wells. The BSP National Aquatic Excellence Program consists of the Kundu Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum and Diamond target squads that recognises swimming excellence, and covers swimmers from the ages of 9 through to the Open Division. This program provides the pathway for elite swimmers to be part of the National team representing Papua New Guinea. BSP has invested significantly in children's sporting partnerships. The bank’s association with a huge range of sports includes school Kriket Program, tennis championships, and the Rabaul School Rugby League that help develop young talents in our communities.

An open ocean swim between England and France is the latest fundraising activity being planned for Cheshire Disability Services, the leading charity for people living with disabilities in PNG. The swim is being supported by the Steamships Group, with 100 percent of all sponsorship money going towards initiatives that will directly benefit people with disabilities and the families who support them. The English Channel Swim attracts endurance athletes from many different nations. Zimbabwean born, South African citizen and permanent PNG resident, Neil Papenfus, a General Manager in Steamships’ Logistics Division, is attempting the world-famous swim for the first time. Papenfus and Steamships raised K10,000 for Cheshire Disability Services a year ago when Papenfus completed a 13 km swim in Port Moresby’s Fairfax Harbour. Inspired to push himself further physically and raise considerably more money for the charity he describes as “providing life changing and even lifesaving services to some of the most disadvantaged people in our community”, Papenfus has officially registered to swim the English Channel in October 2023. Cheshire Disability Services General Manager Benson Hahambu stresses that “people living with disabilities in PNG are particularly disadvantaged. There are minimal resources and services to support them and their families. Stigma and traditional beliefs also often prevent families from seeking out what few services are available. Additionally, remoteness and the lack of adequate transport pose significant barriers to accessing desperately needed help.” Cheshire Disability Services rely overwhelmingly on fundraising initiatives, private donations, and partnerships with a range of different organisations to develop and deliver their services. “Without the support and generosity of businesses like Steamships it is impossible to do the work we do” confirms Hahambu. “We hope that lots of other businesses sponsor Neil’s English Channel swim too.” Papenfus expects the swim to take him around 16 hours. The shortest route to swim across the English Channel is 34 km long, but this can change significantly with the current, as well as the rise and fall of tides. Swimmers often end up swimming from 40-45 kms in an ‘S’ shape and at times against the current. “It’s not the distance, or even how long it’s going to take to do the swim that worries me” says Papenfus “but the water temperature.” An understandable concern given that most of his training takes place in and around Fairfax harbour where the average October water temperature is 26⁰C compared to the English Channel’s – literally bone-chilling – 16⁰C. There are other factors to worry about when swimming the Channel which is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. On average, 600 tankers and 200 ferries pass through the channel every day. Jellyfish are also notorious pests to Channel swimmers. Icy water, marine traffic, and jellyfish aside, knowing what good work Cheshire Disability Services can do for some of PNG’s most disadvantaged with K100,000 will provide Papenfus with plenty of motivation during his swim, as well as his next 12 months of training

Prime Minister James Marape’s opening address at the 11th Parliament session on “Restructuring Governance and Real Development Outcomes” was well received by the market. BSP Group General Manager for Corporate Banking Peter Beswick said, “The message of the Prime Minister was well received. With its key focus on support for foreign direct investment and agricultural outputs that have high potential to be competitive across global markets.” “The specific commitment made by the Prime Minister that his Government “will see that Papua LNG, Porgera, Wafi Golpu, P’nyang LNG and Pasca A projects will all move across the line” improves investor sentiment,” said Beswick. He added that; “With the conclusion of the national election, we are seeing a significant uplift in consumer and business enquiries for investing and spending across all sectors.” He said; “This is expected to build momentum leading into a strong 2023/2024, initially driven by Barrick's reopening of the Porgera Gold Mine and then Papua LNG Financial Investment Decision.” “Also note that a major positive was that CPI Inflation has tapered to 5.5% in the June quarter 2022, when the headline CPI for the March quarter was 6.9%,” he said. He continued that; “This is a positive sign, however inflation is significantly impacting business costs and consumer purchasing power nationwide.” The key drivers of inflation remain unchanged—supply chain disruptions, logistic costs, fuel and food.

Meet Milne Bay’s Deputy Provincial Administrator, Corporate and District Services Ms Sharon Mua. Sharon is a trailblazer, as the first woman in her Province to take up a Provincial Administrator position. In this first-person interview, Sharon tells us more about herself and how public servants can enjoy their retirement by saving with Nambawan Super. “I come from Misima Island in the Milne Bay Province. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Social Sciences) from the University of Papua New Guinea, I joined the Milne Bay Provincial Administration. Only a few of us locals returned to work in the Province after completing our studies. It felt good to give back, and we could see our efforts helping to strengthen and support an aging Public Service workforce. I started work as a casual public servant in the human resources division and then worked in various Provincial Planning roles until I became a permanent public servant in 2006. This is when I also became a Nambawan Super member. I admire the way the Public Service has grown, and I too have grown my career with it. I am now Milne Bay’s Deputy Provincial Administrator. I may be the first female in this role. I had a few role models in leadership positions who gave me the confidence to get to where I am now. I was the Acting Provincial Planner from 2011, before accepting the Deputy Provincial Administrator role in 2013. Nambawan Super is the only savings most public servants have for their retirement. Many public servants in Milne Bay and elsewhere in PNG do not have a backup for retirement. Nambawan Super provides the best investment to help them when they are no longer working. It can be quite challenging to save with the ever-increasing prices of goods and services. With Nambawan Super, it’s encouraging to know we will have something to lean on, especially when we retire. We also need to help transform the behaviors of our people through financial literacy training. This will ensure everyone has access to finance, with a focus on savings instead of loans. Many opt for loans, and it can turn into a bad habit. Be careful because loan repayments can go over your pay package and overwhelm you. Many public servants do not have extra sources of income. The only retirement funding that we have is with Nambawan Super, and we are fortunate that the PNG Government is doing this for us – not just in Milne Bay but also across PNG. Knowing that we can top up our retirement savings with Voluntary Contributions is an important step to changing the outcome of our finances for our future. As public servants, we should be doing this, so we have extra savings at the end of our working lives. Voluntary Contributions can also help you save more and much faster if you want to retire early. Our savings at Nambawan Super are kept safe and the best thing about it is that I don’t get to touch any of it until I’m ready to retire.”

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAO), under the EU-STREIT PNG Programme is partnering with the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) to assist in the sustainable development of fisheries sector in the Sepik Region of Papua New Guinea. Under this collaboration, a four-day stakeholders’ workshop was organized in Wewak, East Sepik Province, on 11th - 14th October 2022, to validate the results of a fisheries value chain study commissioned by the EU-STREIT PNG Programme to NFA and conducted between year 2020 and 2022 in the Sepik. The purpose of the study was to understand the challenges faced by key actors in the three fishery value chains (aquaculture, riverine and coastal) in the region to determine upgrading strategies and investment plans. The workshop attracted over 60 participants who represented a wide spectrum of the fisheries sector stakeholders that includes the Department of Agriculture and Livestock, the Department of National Planning and Monitoring, local community fisher folks and cooperatives, and also the European Union Delegation in PNG.  Also in attendance were the private sector, and non-governmental organizations. The workshop discussed challenges in the fisheries value chain identified in the study and upgrading opportunities and strategies, investment options and implementation plans to improve the performance of the aquaculture, riverine and coastal fisheries during the duration of the Programme and beyond.  The last day of the workshop was dedicated to consultations between the key stakeholders only who identified some specific roles and responsibilities for immediate actions that will contribute to the development agenda under the EU-STREIT PNG Strategic Objectives and the National Fisheries Strategic Plan 2021–2030. Some activities identified in the fisheries value chain study for upgrading the value chains include the provision of capacity development activities to improve the technical skills of fisheries extension officers and fishers and  facilitation of supply of inputs including quality fingerlings, quality fish feed for fishers to improve quality of fishes. Moreover, the lack of collective action by value chain actors under coastal and riverine fisheries coupled with insufficient support from key government agencies at the National, Provincial, District and Local Level Government was highlighted as a key constraint which negatively affects the fisheries sector in the Sepik Region and PNG as a whole. Addressing these issues collaboratively may unveil the industries potential to venture into agribusiness as an income generating option for the people. The key priorities discussed and proposed in the workshop will be captured in an existing Memorandum of Agreement between NFA and the East Sepik and Sandaun Provincial Governments’ and the review of the 5 years Provincial Integrated Development Plans under the National Government’s Medium Term Development Plan III logical framework through the Department of National Planning and Monitoring. “We are particularly interested in the vision, upgrading strategy,  implementation plans and investment plans for the three fisheries value chains that came out of this value chains study,” said the EU-STREIT PNG Programme Coordinator Dr Xuebing Sun in his opening remarks. The Executive Manager of Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries Unit of NFA, Mr Jacob Wani while expressing his appreciation of this partnership forged with EU-STREIT PNG for conducting the fisheries value chain study in the Sepik. He announced that NFA intends to replicate the value chain study in other regions of the country as NFA is now equipped with the fisheries value chain methodology and tools transferred via technical advisory of the EU-STREIT PNG.  The fisheries sector plays an important role in ensuring good nutrition of the people in the Sepik and it is one of three value chains supported under this rural agriculture development programme. The EU-STREIT PNG, being implemented as a UN Joint Programme (FAO as the leading agency/administrative agent, and ILO, ITU, UNCDF and UNDP as implementing partners), is the largest grant-funded Programme of the European Union in the country and the Pacific region. It focuses on increasing sustainable and inclusive economic development of rural areas through Increasing the economic returns and opportunities from cocoa, vanilla and fishery value chains and strengthening and improving the efficiency of value chain enablers including the business environment and supporting sustainable, climate-resilient transport and energy infrastructure development.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga plans to leave a decision on his No.1 halfback until as late in the World Cup as possible, with Nathan Cleary to get his chance against Scotland this weekend. Cleary replaces Sea Eagles captain Daly Cherry-Evans in one of seven changes to the side which beat Fiji 42-8 last weekend, and will make his Test debut alongside Panthers team-mates Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin. Rabbitohs back Campbell Graham, Bulldogs playmaker Matt Burton and Roosters prop Lindsay Collins will also pull on a Kangaroos jersey for the first time in Coventry. Eels prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard is the other new face in the side, while Jack Wighton, Harry Grant, Pat Carrigan and Angus Crichton will start after playing from the interchange against the Bati. Meninga wants to ensure every member of the 24-man squad has an opportunity to push for a place in the team for the sudden-death matches later in the pool but particularly Cleary and Cherry-Evans. “That will be the toughest decision,” Meninga said. “They will both get a fair opportunity to put their best foot forward. It is not only how they play but how they train and how they gather themselves around the group. “They both know what is in front of them and I know that they are both up for a challenge. At some stage on this tour, I have to tell someone that they are in and someone that they are out, unfortunately.” Cherry-Evans got the first shot at retaining the halfback role he has played since 2018 against Fiji and Meninga was impressed by his kicking game and organisation. Cleary will play against the Bravehearts and then Meninga is likely to recall Cherry-Evans for the next match against Italy, with the possibility he may pair them in the halves and rest five-eighth Cameron Munster. Meninga hasn’t indicated whether he will make the final call before the quarter-final, in which Australia is set to play Ireland or Lebanon, or wait until the semi-final, which is expected to be against New Zealand at Elland Road. [caption id="attachment_28711" align="alignnone" width="840"] Cherry-Evans in action during the opening World Cup match against Fiji[/caption] “Nathan has obviously had a great year from a club point of view and with Chez, his club has struggled but his Origin form was fantastic, and he led the Queenslanders to success,” Meninga said. “They are both very good around the team, they have great knowledge and great communication skills so I will leave it to the last moment.” Meninga said the battle between Cleary and Cherry-Evans for the Kangaroos halfback spot could be compared to that of Allan Langer and Ricky Stuart on the 1990 and 1994 Kangaroos tour. [caption id="attachment_28712" align="alignnone" width="840"] Panthers team-mates Isaah Yeo, Nathan Cleary and Liam Martin will make their Kangaroos debuts against Scotland[/caption] “It is a bit like that, or Wally [Lewis] and Bert [Brett Kenny] or Turvey [Steve Mortimer] and Sterlo [Peter Sterling] from way back,” he said. “It is a good headache to have and I am just going to keep an open mind and make a judgement late.” Source: NRL.com