Rugby league fans in Papua New Guinea are set to witness the Prime Minister’s XIII when PNG hosts Australia at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on October 3.

The annual fixture brings together representative players from both countries and provides an opportunity for emerging and established players to test themselves against high-level opposition.

For Papua New Guinea, the Prime Minister’s XIII is also an opportunity to strengthen the sporting relationship between PNG and Australia while allowing local players to perform in front of a passionate home crowd.

PNGRFL Chairman Sandis Tsaka said the return of the Prime Minister’s XIII provides an important opportunity to celebrate the relationship between the two countries through rugby league.

“The Prime Minister’s XIII has become an important fixture for both Papua New Guinea and Australia, and we are pleased to welcome our Australian counterparts once again to Port Moresby. Rugby league has a unique ability to bring our two countries together, and this event gives us an opportunity to showcase the passion of our people while strengthening the connection between our two rugby league communities.”

He said the event would also give PNG players an opportunity to experience representative football at home.

“It is also an important opportunity for our players to experience representative football at home and for our supporters to see some of the emerging talent from both countries take the field at Santos National Football Stadium.”

The 2026 Prime Minister’s XIII will feature four representative clashes involving PNG’s junior and senior national teams.

2026 PRIME MINISTER’S XIII MATCH SCHEDULE

Junior Orchids vs Australian Schoolgirls

Date: 03rd of October, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM

Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

Junior Kumuls vs Australian Schoolboys

Date: 03rd of October, 2026

Time: 10:30 AM

Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

PNG Orchids vs Australian Women’s Prime Minister’s XIII

Date: 03rd of October, 2026

Time: 12:15 PM

Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

PNG Kumuls vs Australian Men’s Prime Minister’s XIII

Date: 03rd of October, 2026

Time: 02:05 PM

Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

PNGRFL Chief Executive Officer Stanley Hondina said the event complements the organisation’s focus on developing players through domestic competitions and representative pathways.

“The Prime Minister’s XIII is an important part of the pathway for our players because it gives them the opportunity to step into a representative environment and test themselves against quality opposition.”

Hondina said players had progressed through domestic competitions and development pathways into the Prime Minister’s XIII, adding that PNGRFL wanted to continue building those opportunities.

He also highlighted the inclusion of the women’s and junior teams as an important part of player development.

The Junior Kumuls and Junior Orchids selections will provide young Papua New Guinean players with another development opportunity, with the teams drawing talent from domestic competitions and established development pathways.

The senior PNG Orchids and Kumuls will also use the fixture to test themselves against Australian opposition in front of a home crowd.

The Prime Minister’s XIII has a long history in Papua New Guinea, with the first PNG-Australia men’s fixture played in Port Moresby in 2005.

The women’s fixture was introduced in 2017, while junior representative fixtures were added in 2023, expanding the program to provide opportunities across multiple levels of the game.

Further details on the 2026 squads, coaching staff, ticketing and other arrangements will be released by PNGRFL as preparations for the Prime Minister’s XIII continue.