Kangaroos squad: Matt Moylan added, 11 players added to train-on side

PENRITH skipper Matt Moylan has been added to the star-studded Prime Minister’s XIII team to play against Papua New Guinea. See the full squad here!

Matt Moylan has been added to the PM’s XIII squad. pic Mark Evans

PENRITH skipper Matt Moylan has been added to the star-studded Prime Minister’s XIII team to play against Papua New Guinea on Saturday.

Coach Mal Meninga said Moylan earned the call-up on the back of an outstanding season leading the Panthers to a final berth.

“Matt is a versatile player and a confident leader both on and off the field,” he said.

“He has had an impressive year and I expect him to play a pivotal role among our team in what will be hot and humid playing conditions in Port Moresby.”

Another 11 players (listed below) from the Panthers and the Broncos, including the likes of Corey Parker and Josh Mansour, have been added to the train-on squad. While they were not selected for the PM’s XIII, all are in contention to snare a spot in the Kangaroos side for the Four Nations.

LOWDOWN: Beware the Panthers in 2017

LOWDOWN: Broncos must change for 2017 success

Matt Moylan has been added to the PM’s XIII squad. pic Mark Evans

Mitchell Pearce has gone from his Australia Day atrocities to wearing the green and gold Australian colours.

Pearce was named at halfback and coach Meninga is prepared to let Pearce also spend time at hooker against the Kumuls to weigh up his utility value for the Four Nations tour.

It is a wonderful way for Pearce to finish the season after it started with an eight-match suspension for his boozy Australia Day antics, which cost him an Origin jumper and the Roosters any hope of an NRL title.

Meninga was happy to acknowledge Pearce for salvaging his season.

“We’re quick to criticise people, but Mitchell has copped it on the chin and was really honest in his assessment of himself,’’ Meninga told The Daily Telegraph.

“He’s paid the price, come back and been one of the form halves of the competition. He’s knocking on the door of rep duties again, and based on what he has done on and off the field, I think he deserves another opportunity.

“We might even give him a shot at nine against the Kumuls, so it will be a good opportunity for him to show his versatility.’’

“It depends on injuries and luck over the next three weeks with where Mitchell sits,’’ Meninga said.

Mitchell Pearce was named at halfback in the Prime Minister's X111 squad. pic Mark Evans

Pearce’s numbers were outstanding for the back half of the season with the Roosters, but is disadvantaged by being the only half not involved in the NRL finals race.

Greg Inglis will captain the PM’s XIII that also features Mitchell Moses and Aaron Woods, Tyson Frizell, fullback James Tedesco and Parramatta cult hero Semi Radradra.

One of the big selection debates for Meninga will be whether to persevere with Radradra on the left wing or go with Penrith flyer Josh Mansour for the Four Nations tour of England. Mansour is already unavailable for the one-off Perth Test against New Zealand on October 15 because of his wedding.

“Josh is certainly putting his hand up to be counted,’’ Meninga said.

“Semi has a good opportunity against the Kumuls, he’s one of the form wingers, he had an up and down year when you talk off-field stuff, but he had a good Test match, his form for Parramatta was really good.

“You also have Corey Oates who played Origin this year. They all play on the left, and I’m thinking I’d like to play them in their positions. It will come down to the next few weeks for those guys.’’

Meninga said the match against the Kumuls was great, but promoting the right messages about health and domestic violence to the local community was just as important.

Australian Prime Minister’s XIII:

James Tedesco (Wests Tigers)

Semi Radradra (Parramatta Eels)

Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Josh Dugan (St George Illawarra Dragons)

Blake Ferguson (Sydney Roosters)

Mitchell Moses (Wests Tigers)

Mitchell Pearce (Sydney Roosters)

Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers)

Jake Friend (Sydney Roosters)

Ryan James (Gold Coast Titans)

Boyd Cordner (Sydney Roosters)

Tyson Frizell (St George Illawarra Dragons)

Josh Jackson (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)

David Klemmer (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)

Moses Mbye (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)

Dylan Napa (Sydney Roosters)

Jake Trbojevic (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)

Matt Moylan (Penrith Panthers)

Kangaroos train-on squad:

Josh Mansour (Penrith Panthers)

Trent Merrin (Penrith Panthers)

Bryce Cartwright (Penrith Panthers)

Darius Boyd (Brisbane Broncos)

Corey Oates (Brisbane Broncos)

Anthony Milford (Brisbane Broncos)

Ben Hunt (Brisbane Broncos)

Matt Gillett (Brisbane Broncos)

Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos)

Corey Parker (Brisbane Broncos)

Josh McGuire (Brisbane Broncos)

Originally published as Kangaroos squad: Matt Moylan added, 11 players added to train-on side