Josh Papalii has been forced to withdraw from the Prime Minister's XIII squad due to a family bereavement, which has opened the door for Parramatta playmaker Corey Norman to make his representative debut.
Kangaroos officials secured a Papua New Guinea visa for Norman on Wednesday, who will likely play as an interchange utility in Saturday's annual clash with the Kumuls in Port Moresby. Papalii had been Canberra's sole representative in Mal Meninga's Prime Minister's XIII squad.
The destructive back-rower's grandfather passed away earlier this week.
"He's pulled out to spend some time with the family and we wish him all the best, we send our love to him and the family - our thoughts are with him," PM's XIII assistant coach Adrian Lam said.
"He's a big body and we're going to need those big bodies up in Papua New Guinea when we're playing their big bodies.
"He's got a World Cup coming up, Papa. It's sad that he's not there at the moment.
"[Coach] Mal [Meninga] is a big fan of his and what he brings to that side is size and experience. His presence there on the edge, he's been playing pretty good for Canberra this year."
Norman had a superb year with the Eels this season, helping the club to a top-four finish before they were bundled out of the finals by North Queensland last weekend.
"It's an opportunity for him to show his wares at the end of the season," Lam said.
"Going out last week wasn't ideal for the club and him, but now he gets the opportunity to play for Australia Prime Minister's XIII team.
"The honours and courage of him playing the way he has done the last couple of weeks especially has earned this spot. We're looking forward to getting him into camp.
"It's more about him and what he can offer the team in different positions. He'll start as a utility off the bench and then it's up to Mal where he wants to play him, a few players will play in different positions."
The PM's XIII will play a severely weakened Kumuls side, with their top-line stars sitting out the game to prepare for Sunday's historic Queensland Cup grand final between the PNG Hunters and Sunshine Coast Falcons.
It's the first Queensland Cup grand final the Hunters have contested, in just their fourth season of competition.
"They've done an amazing job to make their first grand final," Lam said.
"It's sad we can't play them this weekend but it's probably more important that they play and win that competition down there. It gives the local players the opportunity to show their worth."
Saturday's PM's XIII clash will follow a historic women's match between Australia's Jillaroos and the PNG Orchids.
