Galvin in representative frame, Fittler back coaching
Teenager Lachlan Galvin could cap his stellar NRL rookie season with a maiden representative jumper after being picked in the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII squad to face Papua New Guinea.
The match in Port Moresby on October 13 also marks Brad Fittler’s return to coaching, a year after he was ousted from the helm of the NSW State of Origin team.
Head coach Fittler and his 20-man squad will be joined by Kangaroos boss Mal Meninga in camp ahead of the game, traditionally used to showcase future and fringe representative players.
This year’s iteration of the annual fixture will also lay further groundwork for the NRL’s likely expansion into PNG.
The rugby league-mad nation is expected to be granted the NRL’s 19th licence and join the competition from 2028 with assistance from the Australian government.
“These games represent far more than just a couple of games of footy for up-and-coming stars,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“It’s an important chance to share our love of the game with PNG – our closest neighbour and dear friends.”
Galvin’s selection in the squad continues a stellar first NRL season for the five-eighth, whose emergence was the most positive note in another poor season for Wests Tigers.
An appearance in the team would mark Galvin’s first game since missing out on the Dally M Rookie of the Year award through a two-game suspension for a hip drop tackle.
Galvin is one of 11 players picked without any representative experience, alongside Ethan Bullemor, Kobe Hetherington, Jacob Liddle, Dylan Lucas, Sam McIntyre, Sean Russell, Xavier Savage, Alex Seyfarth, Fletcher Sharpe and Kaeo Weekes.
St George Illawarra recruit Damien Cook will captain the side, while Luke Brooks has been selected following a strong first season as Manly’s five-eighth.
Meanwhile, Kezie Apps will return from the knee injury she suffered early in the NRLW season to captain the women’s Prime Minister’s XIII that tackles PNG’s women’s side on the same day.
Abbi Church and Lauren Brown are among other stars in the squad, included the day after respectively polling second and third in the Dally M Medal count at the NRL’s awards night.
Newcastle halfback Jesse Southwell is back in the representative frame after being snubbed from NSW’s State of Origin series, with breakout Parramatta centre Rory Owen also named.
Australian Men’s Prime Minister’s XIII: Luke Brooks, Ethan Bullemor, Nat Butcher, Damien Cook (capt), Tallis Duncan, Beau Fermor, Jamal Fogarty, Lachlan Galvin, Reuben Garrick, Kobe Hetherington, Alofiana Khan-Periera, Jacob Liddle, Dylan Lucas, Sam McIntyre, Sean Russell, Xavier Savage, Alex Seyfarth, Fletcher Sharpe, Kaeo Weekes, Hudson Young.
Australian Women’s Prime Minister’s XIII: Kezie Apps (capt), Shaylee Bent, Teagan Berry, Krystal Blackwell, Lauren Brown, Keele Browne, Jaime Chapman, Bree Chester, Abbi Church, Kirra Dibb, Sophie Holyman, Grace Kemp, Ella Koster, Emma Manzelmann, Rory Owen, Lily Peacock, Kasey Reh, Monalisa Soliola, Jesse Southwell, Chante Temara.
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