This year marks 10th Prime Ministers's XIII match

This year, the Australian Kangaroos and the PNG Kumuls will meet for the 10th Prime Minister’s XIII match. Over the next ten weeks the Australian High Commission will look back at the matches and how they have drawn on the popularity of rugby league as a positive vehicle to talk to the community about social issues.

The first PM’s XIII match between Australia and Papua New Guinea was played on September 18, 2005 at the Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby. The maiden captains of the PM’s XIII were Luke Ricketson for Australia and Stanley Hondina for the Kumuls. The coaches were Mal Meninga (Kangaroos) and Bob Bennett (Kumuls). Players from both teams helped to raise awareness about preventing the transmission of HIV/AIDS with the message for the match - Play and Stay Safe – from HIV/AIDS. The final scores for the match, Australia 34 – Kumuls 0, mattered less than the success in bringing the nations closer together and delivering important community messages through the power of sport.