Daly Cherry-Evans to skipper Prime Minister’s XIII for annual clash against PNG
KANGAROOS coach Mal Meninga has pulled some surprises out of the bag for the Prime Minister’s XIII to take on PNG in Port Moresby. MEN AND WOMEN SQUADS HERE.
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LATRELL Mitchell struck the first blow against Will Chambers in the State of Origin arena and now the Sydney Roosters flyer is on the verge of snatching Chambers’ Kangaroos jersey.
Mitchell is in the box seat to partner Greg Inglis as Australia’s centre pairing for the two Tests against New Zealand and Tonga next month.
While Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga holds a strong opinion of his incumbent Chambers, Mitchell’s form is proving too irresistible to ignore. It is understood Chambers is clinging on to a spot in the 19-man squad.
Before Mitchell claims the Kangaroos jersey he can rub salt into the wounds by ending Chambers’ premiership dreams on Sunday night.
Meninga said grand final performances would not dictate who plays in the opening Test against the Kiwis.
“We’re looking at Latrell and Will,” Meninga said. “Sometimes it doesn’t come down to the one game. Everyone is talking about the battle (on Sunday) but it’s been a battle all year.
“I’ve watched a few of the games. Except for a couple of missed tackles by Will it’s been a fairly even contest. It will be interesting to see who comes on top on the big stage. The most important stage of club footy.
“We don’t have a right centre at the moment. Greg has the left side all sewn up.”
A shoulder injury to Josh Dugan has ruled him out of the Kangaroos side. Meninga said loyalty, Origin, form and finals showings “in that order” dictate selection. Mitchell and Inglis were named in Meninga’s Kangaroos Origin merit squad following the Origin series.
After a hotly contested Origin battle the pair are set to square off again for the fifth time this season with both winning two games. In those matches Chambers has missed 13 tackles compared to Mitchell’s three while Chambers has managed just one tackle bust per game compared to Mitchell’s 4.5.
Chambers anticipated another rough match.
“He is a greatly young talent and he is playing some outstanding footy,” Chambers said. “It is another tough night and it will be a tough challenge.
“It is exciting, it is a good challenge I am looking forward to. I know he will. Be up for it. he is a big game player.
“I haven’t got the wood yet. We will wait and see how it all pans out. It is more physical, he is a big boy and he is hard to handle. I know they will be getting him the ball and I will have to be on my game defensively.”
When asked if he owed Mitchell one Chambers said.
“No, not really. Why would I? It’s a game of footy mate.”
Both players are known for their aggressive style of player — and have had plenty to say to each other on the field this season.
Chambers has just returned from suspension while Mitchell missed the Roosters win against South Sydney last week because of a one-game ban.
Chambers said he “did not want to talk” about trying to bait Mitchell he would not change his aggressive style of play.
Australian PM’s XIII Men’s Squad
1 Corey Allan Brisbane Broncos
2 Zac Lomax St George Illawarra Dragons
3 Jesse Ramien Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
4 Brian Kelly Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
5 Nick Cotric Canberra Raiders
6 Daly Cherry-Evans © Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
7 Jake Clifford North Queensland Cowboys
8 David Klemmer Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
9 Ben Hunt St George Illawarra Dragons
10 Jordan McLean North Queensland Cowboys
11 Tyson Frizell St George Illawarra Dragons
12 Tyrone Peachey Penrith Panthers
13 Jake Trbojevic Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
14 Aaron Woods Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
15 Reagan Campbell-Gillard Penrith Panthers
16 Matt Prior Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
17 Chad Townsend Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
18 Gehamat Shibasaki Brisbane Broncos
19 Reece Robson St George Illawarra Dragons
20 Enari Tuala North Queensland Cowboys
Australian PM’s XIII Women’s Squad
An Australian PM’s XIII Women’s side will also play for the first time.
1 Rikeya Horne St George Illawarra Dragons
2 Shakiah Tungai St George Illawarra Dragons
3 Hannah Southwell St George Illawarra Dragons
4 Patricia Raikadroka Mounties
5 Rhiannon Revell-Blair Brothers Ipswich
6 Keeley Davis St George Illawarra Dragons
6 Quincy Dodd Sydney Roosters
8 Rebecca Young CRL Newcastle
9 Juraea Turner Ellenbrook Rabbitohs — WA
10 Asipau Mafi St George Illawarra Dragons
11 Sally Dwyer Parkes Spacemen
12 Talesha Quinn St George Illawarra Dragons
13 Holli Wheeler St George Illawarra Dragons
14 Michaela Peck ADF
15 Najvada George Werribee Bears — VIC
16 Eliza Wilson Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
17 Aaliyah Fasavalu-Fa’amausili Cabramatta
18 Melanie Howard * St George Illawarra Dragons
19 Sarah Togatuki * Sydney Roosters
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Originally published as Daly Cherry-Evans to skipper Prime Minister’s XIII for annual clash against PNG
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