South Sydney Rabbitohs players Damien Cook and Tallis Duncan will represent Australia when they play for the Prime Minister’s XIII against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on Sunday 13 October, with Cook selected to captain the side.
Cook, who has represented the Australian Kangaroos in four Test matches between 2018 and 2019, will captain his nation for the first time, following in teammates Greg Inglis and Cameron Murray’s footsteps who captained the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII in 2016 and 2023 respectively.
Duncan has earned his first green and gold jersey with this selection in the side selected by Australian Prime Minister and Rabbitohs Life Member, The Hon. Anthony Albanese MP, to be coached by former Australian captain Brad Fittler.
Murray was ineligible for selection for the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII this year following a submission from the Rabbitohs to have the third game of his three-match suspension served in this match, which was accepted by the NRL Judiciary Chairman. Murray will be eligible for selection for Australia in the upcoming Pacific Championships and the for the beginning of the 2025 NRL season.
Prime Minister Albanese“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”
“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.”
ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys AM congratulated all players on their selection in a special team.
“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 Australian squad to represent the Prime Minister’s XIII in 2024 is:
- 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)
Congratulations to both Damien and Tallis on their selections in the green and gold in 2024.
