Papua New Guinea representative coaches Joey Grima and Solomon Kuluniasi have named their representative sides maintaining their roles, selecting their squads for the upcoming Prime Minister’s XIII challenges against the Australian school boys’ and school girls’ sides.

Both the Prime Minister's XIII Junior Kumuls’ and Junior Orchids’ squads have assembled in Port Moresby in the lead-up to the international matches taking place at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby, this coming Sunday 13th October.

Grima said last year’s narrow defeat to the Australian school boys demonstrates the talent pool here in Papua New Guinea. This year it’s an opportunity to see how the junior male players grow and learn from that experience.

“The staff and I are so proud of the journey for these young men of PNG. The national pride these young men have wearing a junior kumuls’ jersey from all regions from Papua New Guinea and East coast of Australia is refreshing.”

“Some of our players selected have never left their village or town and now they have an opportunity to travel to the nation’s capital and train in a world-class gym and faculty with the best available PNG players available.”

“These players deserve this opportunity to play against the number one nation of rugby league. I’m excited for what Sunday will deliver and incredibly excited for my playing group and staff,” Grima said.

Meanwhile, Kuluniasi expressed that camp was progressing well for the female juniors’ team.

“The girls are connecting and getting better. A few bumps and bruises but they’ll get over it come weekend’s game. The staff are doing a great job also. A good culture is happening.”

“This is a great opportunity for our young girls to come together - they are excited and looking forward to Sunday,” Kuluniasi added.