The Chair of the Papua New Guinea Rugby League Federation is confident the home side will prove competitive in tonight's annual clash against the Australian Prime Minister's 13.
The Australian side are undefeated in the fixture since its inception in 2005, and prevailed 34-16 last year.
The PNG squad has been selected entirely from the Digicel Cup domestic competition, with PNG Hunters and overseas-based players not considered.
But Sandis Tsaka believes the local players will hold their own against a team of Australian NRL regulars.
"Before the Hunters programme came on board actually we always had our domestic players playing the PM's XIII and they've been competitive over the years. I think the selectors have done a tremendous job getting a good crop of boys - they've mixed the experience with youth. The boys have been in camp and they're looking good - I think it should be a good match on Saturday."
The match will be held at Port Moresby's Sir John Guise Stadium.
Tonight's clash be a special occasion for James Segeyaro.
The Penrith Panthers hooker was born in PNG and previously played for the home team in the same fixture.
But tonight he will line up in green and gold at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby.
His coach at Penrith and with the Australian team, Ivan Cleary, says you could say Segeyaro has crossed allegiances.
"He was essentially raised in Australia and came over when he was five, I think, so he's spent his whole life really in Australia. His father first passed away last year and that's when James basically made his decision to cross allegiances, and [this is] his first real opportunity and funny enough it comes in front his homeland. It will be an emotional night for James - he's very close to his dad - but a chance for him to press for higher honours in the future."
The Australian side are undefeated in the fixture since its inception in 2005, and toppled the Kumuls 34-16 last year.
The annual Prime Minister's rugby league clash between Australia and Papua New Guinea will be held at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby, which also hosted the Pacific Games. Photo: Facebook / Hon Justin W Tkatchenko MP
