Outgoing St George Illawarra lock Trent Merrin says he will relish the opportunity to impress his new Penrith coach Ivan Cleary as captain of the Prime Minister's XIII when they play in Papua New Guinea next week.

Merrin signed a three-year deal in March with the Panthers worth an estimated $750,000 a season.

Having played his last game for the Dragons in their 11-10 loss to the Bulldogs on Saturday, Merrin's next focus will be leading a team of youngsters to victory in Port Moresby next Saturday against the Papua New Guinea Kumuls.

Instead of waiting until Penrith come together in preparation for 2016, Merrin will get the chance to play alongside his new Panthers teammates in hooker James Segeyaro, prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Jeremy Latimore who will come off the bench.

"It's great to get to know Ivan a bit more leading into the game and especially into next year," Merrin said. "It's going to be good to see how he works and especially with a few boys in the team.

"I think the most exciting thing about it is playing with the hooker of the team next year. Being in the front row, you need to stay close, so it's great that I can have that warm-up before we start the year with the Panthers."

Segeyaro, who moved to Australia from Papua New Guinea when he was seven because it was too dangerous and for "better opportunities", was also excited to see Merrin slot in alongside him and start the foundations of what Panthers fans will be hoping is an auspicious combination after a disappointing season in which they finished 11th.

"I'm stoked, just to get to play with him before any of the other boys," Segeyaro said. "Being in the middle of the field, so to speak, we need to get them combinations good so if me and Trent can start that off in this game and continue that down the future when he comes to the club [that will be good]."

Winning is Cleary's first priority, but he will be happy to see a number of his forwards together, Merrin included, for a hit-out before they go their separate ways in the off-season.

"It's a good chance for Trent to play with those guys," Cleary said. "He's progressing really nicely as a player through the representative ranks. He's been a mainstay in the Blues team the last few years and obviously making his Kangaroos debut.

"It's good to have a guy like him with some experience for some of these young guys."

For most of the touring squad, it will be their first experience in Papua New Guinea – a country infatuated with rugby league that treats NRL stars like gods.

Segeyaro and Cleary have spoken to the group about what to expect, but they are certain it will be a reality check for them.

"Everyone that goes to PNG says how eye-opening it is even if you don't actually play rugby league and go and travel," Segeyaro said. "It's so different and you feel so grateful for what you've got here in Australia."

"One thing guys probably don't understand," Cleary added, "Is how well known they'll be over there. They absolutely know everything about every bloke who has ever set foot on an NRL field."