Congratulations to the three Wests Tigers players who have been selected to play for the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII men’s and women’s representative teams on Sunday week in Port Moresby.
Lachlan Galvin and Alex Seyfarth are in the men’s PM’s XIII team, while Kezie Apps has been named in the women’s side, for the games against Papua New Guinea Prime Minister’s XIII teams.
The fixtures will be played on Sunday 13th October at Santos Stadium in the PNG capital, which will also host a 2024 Pacific Championships double-header on November 3.
Galvin has enjoyed a stellar first season in the NRL, which began when he made his first-grade debut in Round 2 of the Telstra Premiership against the Raiders in Canberra.
The 19-year-old Campbelltown junior played 21 of a possible 24 games and has been awarded the Rugby League Players Association Rookie of the Year for 2024.
Seyfarth is another local junior who performed exceptionally well this season. The 25-year-old forward played in all but one game in his fifth season at Wests Tigers.
Apps, who will captain the side, has been selected having not played since sustaining a knee injury in Round 3 of the Telstra Women’s Premiership against the Roosters.
Now back to full fitness, the Wests Tigers and NSW Origin co-captain is hopeful of gaining selection in the Jillaroos squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships.
“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.
Anthony Albanese Australia Prime Minister
“I look forward to Damien Cook and Wests Tigers’ Kezie Apps leading their talented PM’s XIII squads in Port Moresby.”
ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys AM has congratulated all players.
“The players chosen are some of the best and brightest in the game, and they get to wear the green and gold with pride,” Mr V’landys said.
“Not only do they get to represent their country, they also have the opportunity to be ambassadors for the game, to change lives.
“On behalf of the Commission, I congratulate the players on their selection in a special team.”
The Men’s PM’s XIII will be coached by Test legend Brad Fittler, and the Women’s PM’s XIII by Former Jillaroo Jess Skinner.
Australian Men’s Prime Minister’s XIII (in alphabetical order):
Luke Brooks - Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Ethan Bullemor - Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Nat Butcher - Sydney Roosters
Damien Cook © - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Tallis Duncan - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Beau Fermor - Gold Coast Titans
Jamal Fogarty - Canberra Raiders
Lachlan Galvin - Wests Tigers
Reuben Garrick - Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Kobe Hetherington - Brisbane Broncos
Alofiana Khan-Pereira - Gold Coast Titans
Jacob Liddle - St George Illawarra Dragons
Dylan Lucas - Newcastle Knights
Sam McIntyre - North Queensland Cowboys
Sean Russell - Parramatta Eels
Xavier Savage - Canberra Raiders
Alex Seyfarth - Wests Tigers
Fletcher Sharpe - Newcastle Knights
Kaeo Weekes - Canberra Raiders
Hudson Young - Canberra Raiders
Australian Women’s Prime Minister’s XIII:
Kezie Apps (c) - Wests Tigers
Shaylee Bent - Gold Coast Titans
Teagan Berry - St George Illawarra Dragons
Krystal Blackwell - North Queensland Cowboys
Lauren Brown - Gold Coast Titans
Keele Browne St George Illawarra Dragons
Jaime Chapman Gold Coast Titans
Bree Chester North Queensland Cowboys
Abbi Church Parramatta Eels
Kirra Dibb North Queensland Cowboys
Sophie Holyman Canberra Raiders
Grace Kemp Canberra Raiders
Ella Kosta St George Illawarra Dragons
Emma Manzelmann North Queensland Cowboys
Rory Owen Parramatta Eels
Lily Peacock North Queensland Cowboys
Kasey Reh St George Illawarra Dragons
Monalisa Soliola Canberra Raiders
Jesse Southwell Newcastle Knights
Chante Temara Canberra Raiders
