Boyd's chances of an Australian recall appear slim after he and club teammate Junior Paulo were overlooked by Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga for the Prime Minister's XIII.

But Papalii is praying they win an 11th hour World Cup call-up as he prepares to link up with former Raiders prop Paul Vaughan in Papua New Guinea.

Meninga named Papalii and a host of other Test-capped players for the Prime Minister's XIII clash against Papua New Guinea at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on September 23.

He is also keeping an eye on the future with St George Illawarra enforcer Vaughan among six debutants given one last roll of the dice before Meninga names his World Cup squad.

Vaughan is one of three props included ahead of Boyd, with Canterbury-bound Aaron Woods handed the captaincy reins.

Boyd played four Tests for Australia last year and was named to replace a suspended Papalii in this season's Anzac Test, but withdrew due to injury.

It seems rival players have leapfrogged him in the queue for an Australian jumper but Boyd admitted last month he wasn't expecting a call from Meninga.

Papalii says Canberra's disappointing season didn't help Boyd's cause but he hopes the door isn't shut on the hulking front-rower.

"Mal's got a tough job in picking the Prime Minister's team and then the World Cup team... Hopefully Boydy will get a second chance," Papalii said.

"He's a one man army at times. He's a big boy and has a good engine. You definitely know he comes to play, he never lets the boys down.

"To be honest he was very unlucky to not make the squad, but in saying that it's a very strong squad going to PNG next week as well.

"Mal spoke to us today as well, this is a trial for the World Cup. Obviously the finals players he still has to select from, and even the players that missed out on this team as well.

"Everyone is up for selection and that's even if you're not playing this game here. You never know, injuries might happen."

While he's hoping Boyd and Paulo can still force their way in, Papalii "can't wait" to play alongside Vaughan again and expects higher honours are on the way for the Italian international.

Papalii's performance in the 2013 Prime Minister's XIII clash catapulted him into Australia's victorious World Cup side and he's hoping Vaughan can write a similar success story.

Meninga will name his World Cup squad following the NRL grand final on October 1 and Vaughan has emerged as a Test bolter following a breakout season away from home.

"I think he's definitely ready to play Origin footy as well. Him being in this team is just a stepping stone in his career," Papalii said.

"This is just the stepping stone to an Australian gig. I reckon he'll go close to making the World Cup squad and he won't let Mal down.

"He was always playing good footy at Canberra anyway, it's just a lot of boys were playing good footy at the same time. Moving to the Dragons just gave him more opportunity to showcase his skill and talent.

"He's going to do some big things in rugby league and one day I'm just going to sit back and say it was a pleasure playing with Paul Vaughan."

The annual Prime Minister's XIII clash is the drawcard fixture of a triple-header, with the Australian Jillaroos set to take on Papua New Guinea, while an under-16s match between a Rugby League Young Achiever's and a PNG Select side will open the day.

Australian Prime Minister's XIII squad:

1. James Tedesco (Wests Tigers)
2. Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights)
3. Josh Dugan (St George-Illawarra Dragons)
4. Tom Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
5. Valentine Holmes (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)*
6. Jack Bird (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)*
7. James Maloney (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
8. Aaron Woods (c) (Wests Tigers)
9. Api Koroisau (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)*
10. Andrew Fifita (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)*
11. Tyson Frizell (St George-Illawarra Dragons)
12. Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders)
13. Jake Trbojevic (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
14. Wade Graham (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
15. David Klemmer (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
16. Dylan Walker (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)*
17. Josh Jackson (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
18. Paul Vaughan (St George-Illawarra Dragons)*

*Denotes PMXIII debut

Coach: Mal Meninga