‘Change lives’: Luke Brooks to end nine-year representative hiatus, Damien Cook to captain Prime Minister’s XIII

Luke Brooks will cap off a dream year when he makes his Prime Minister’s XIII debut alongside an exciting rookie from his old club.

Luke Brooks will cap off a dream year when he makes his Prime Minister’s XIII debut alongside Wests Tigers rookie sensation Lachlan Galvin, who will earn his representative debut against Papua New Guinea on October 13.

The squad for the annual event was announced on Thursday morning, with the former and current Tigers playmakers set to spend time together in the halves in a squad that features some of the quickest men in the game.

Brooks’ selection comes nine years after he represented the NRL All Stars, with the veteran half ending his finals drought last month after 11 luckless seasons with the Tigers, while Galvin has been rewarded for a terrific season that would surely have included Dally M Rookie of the Year honours had he not been banned for two games.

Damien Cook will captain the men’s side, while Kezie Apps will lead the women in next Sunday’s double-header.

Luke Brooks returns to the representative arena for the first time in nine years to cap off a dream first season with the Sea Eagles. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

“These games represent far more than just a couple of games of footy for up-and-coming stars. It’s an important chance to share our love of the game with PNG – our closest neighbour and dear friends,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

“It’s a great thrill to have one of my favourite Rabbitohs as captain of the men’s team, and I look forward to Damien Cook and Wests Tigers’ Kezie Apps leading their talented PM’s XIII squads in Port Moresby.”

Former Blues coach Brad Fittler will lead the men’s side with Mal Meninga busy with the Kangaroos, while former Jillaroo Jess Skinner will coach the women’s team with Brad Donald preparing for the Pacific Championships later this month.

“We have some incredibly talented players making their debuts in the green and gold. I’m excited to see what they can do at this level, giving us a real eye to the future,” Fittler said.

“This is an important camp not only for the players who will be testing themselves at this level but also being ambassadors for the game in PNG.”

Brad Fittler will coach the men’s side in the annual event. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

The men were clunky last year but escaped with a 30-18 win over PNG, with the likes of Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Xavier Savage and Fletcher Sharpe to light it up in Port Moresby.

The women’s side is equally stacked with speed, with Teagan Berry and Jaime Chapman ready to let loose, while talented young guns Kasey Reh, Rory Owen and Jesse Southwell have also been selected.

“The players chosen are some of the best and brightest in the game, and they get to wear the green and gold with pride,” Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter 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.”

Men’s team: Luke Brooks, Ethan Bullemor, Nat Butcher, Damien Cook (captain), Tallis Duncan, Beau Fermor, Jamal Fogarty, Lachlan Galvin, Reuben Garrick, Kobe Hetherington, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Jacob Liddle, Dylan Lucas, Sam McIntyre, Sean Russell, Xavier Savage, Alex Seyfarth, Fletcher Sharpe, Kaeo Weekes, Hudson Young.

Women’s team: Kezie Apps (captain), 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.