St George Illawarra Dragons prop Paul Vaughan will finally receive the recognition he deserves for an outstanding debut season at the Saints after being selected for the Prime Minister’s XIII to take on Papua New Guinea.

Vaughan will be joined by Valentine Holmes, Andrew Fifita, Api Koroisau, Dylan Walker and Jack Bird making their PM’s debut.

“To get these guys together so close to the Rugby League World Cup is a real coup for our preparations, which will really kick into gear following the NRL Grand Final,” Coach Mal Meninga said.

“Some of them have been fortunate enough to have already experienced playing in PNG, but for the new guys, it really is something to cherish. There’s nothing else quite like it.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how everyone gels together in a short timeframe and handles the occasion.” 

Australian Prime Minister’s XIII squad:  

Jack Bird (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)*
Josh Dugan (St George-Illawarra Dragons)
Andrew Fifita (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)*
Tyson Frizell (St George-Illawarra Dragons)
Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights)
Wade Graham (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
Valentine Holmes (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)*
Josh Jackson (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
David Klemmer (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Api Koroisau (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)*
James Maloney (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders)
James Tedesco (Wests Tigers)
Jake Trbojevic (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
Tom Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Paul Vaughan (St George-Illawarra Dragons)* 
Dylan Walker (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)*
Aaron Woods (c) (Wests Tigers)

*PMXIII debut