St George Illawarra prop Paul Vaughan is one step closer to an Australian call up after he was named in the Prime Minister's XIII on Monday.
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After making his NSW debut in 2018, Vaughan has impressed on the representative stage in six Origin appearances. He was named in the Kangaroos Origin Merit team in both 2018 and 2019.
A foot injury suffered late in last year's NRL campaign crippled Vaughan's chances of playing for the Kangaroos last season and he entered 2019 determined to earn his first green and gold jumper.
Vaughan is joined in the Prime Minister's XIII side by Dragons teammates Ben Hunt and Tyson Frizell. Gerringong product Reuben Garrick was also selected.
Hunt will play at hooker for the clash against Fiji on Friday October 11, the first time the Prime Minister's XIII have played in Fiji.
Australian coach Mal Meninga said Prime Minister's XIII selection is a stepping stone to higher representative honours.
"The Prime Minister's XIII match is a key match in the representative calendar for a number of reasons," Meninga said.
"It's part of the representative pathway that rewards the players strong performances from the premiership season, as well as showcasing the positive impact rugby league has for communities throughout the Pacific."
The Australian team will be captained by Wade Graham, with Cody Walker and Mitchell Moses to form the halves pairing.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the squad will represent the country with pride in Fiji.
"This year's Prime Minister's XIII squads focus on youth and experience," Morrison said.
"I wanted to bring together veterans who have served the game well over a number of years with the brightest young talents that have come onto the rugby league scene.
"Mal, Brad and I are confident that we've come up with two really strong and well-balanced teams and I'm looking forward to seeing them in action in Fiji.
"And just as importantly as the games is that players, coaches and officials from both teams will be utilising their visit to spread the message of our domestic and family violence campaigns."
Australian PM's XIII Men's Squad
Clint Gutherson Parramatta Eels
Kyle Feldt North Queensland Cowboys
Paul Momirovski Wests Tigers
Brad Parker Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Blake Ferguson Parramatta Eels
Cody Walker South Sydney Rabbitohs
Mitchell Moses Parramatta Eels
Paul Vaughan St George Illawarra Dragons
Ben Hunt St George Illawarra Dragons
Payne Haas Brisbane Broncos
Wade Graham (c) Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Tyson Frizell St George Illawarra Dragons
Jake Trbojevic Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Jai Arrow Gold Coast Titans
Reuben Garrick Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
David Fifita Brisbane Broncos
Reed Mahoney Parramatta Eels
Nathan Brown Parramatta Eels
Thomas Flegler Brisbane Broncos
COACH: Mal Meninga
Australian PM's XIII Women's Squad
Karina Brown (c) Sydney Roosters
Brydie Parker Sydney Roosters
Patricia Raikadroka Mounties
Bobbi Law Sydney Roosters
Tess Staines Riverina Division
Kirra Dibb Sydney Roosters
Quincy Dodd Sydney Roosters
Samantha Economos Canterbury Bulldogs
Michaela Peck West Brisbane Panthers
Taimane Levu Brothers Ipswich
Kaitlyn Phillips Mounties
Jasmin Allende Sydney Roosters
Caitlan Johnston Sydney Roosters
Asipau Mafi West Brisbane Panthers
Laken Paitai Burleigh Bears
Kaarla Cowan Cronulla Sharks
Brianna Clark West Brisbane Panthers
Christian Pio St Mary's
Tayla Preston Cronulla Sharks
Kristine Vaalepu West Brisbane Panthers
COACH: Brad Donald
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Cameron Mee
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
