Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea Mr. Ewen McDonald on Thursday welcomed the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII men’s and women’s teams, together with the Australian Schoolboys and Schoolgirls teams, to Port Moresby ahead of fixtures on Saturday 3 October. 

The games celebrate the shared passion for rugby league that connects communities across Australia and Papua New Guinea. 

First played in 2005, the annual fixture has become one of the most significant sporting exchanges between the two countries, bringing together elite athletes, emerging players, and communities. 

On Friday, players will take part in community activities delivered through the Australian Government-supported League Bilong Laif program, promoting respect, inclusion and positive social outcomes in schools and communities. 

As excitement builds towards the PNG Chiefs’ inaugural season in 2028, the Prime Minister’s XIII fixtures also highlight the pathways rugby league can create and its power to inspire the next generation. 

High Commissioner McDonald said rugby league was one of the strongest connections between Australia and Papua New Guinea.

“Rugby league is one of the strongest connections between Australia and Papua New Guinea. Every year, the Prime Minister's XIII fixture is a celebration of the deep friendship between our two countries and a reflection of the shared passion for rugby league that connects our communities. The players have an important role as ambassadors for their countries, helping build lasting connections through their engagement with communities throughout the week,” Mr. McDonald said. 

The NRL's Head of Performance, Pathways & Strategy, Mr. Brock Schaefer said the annual fixture showcased the broader impact of rugby league across the region. 

“Few sporting events capture the spirit of rugby league quite like the Prime Minister’s XIII. From elite athletes to emerging talent, this week showcases the pathways that our game can create, and the positive impact rugby league continues to have across PNG,” Mr. Schaefer said. 

The fixture provides an important platform for player development and showcasing emerging talent, particularly through the Schoolboys and Schoolgirls matches, which offer valuable international experience for emerging players, including Papua New Guinea’s Junior Kumuls and Junior Orchids. 

PNG Rugby Football League Chairman Sandis Tsaka said the fixture continued to inspire the next generation of Papua New Guinean players. 

“For Papua New Guineans, rugby league is more than a sport; it is part of our national identity. Hosting the Prime Minister’s XIII provides inspiration for our communities, for our young players and reinforces the belief that they can progress from local competitions to the highest levels of the game, including the international stage,” Mr. Tsaka said.