Laurie Daley has been forced to abandon his post as Prime Minister’s XIII rugby league coach to return home due to a family illness.

The team is due to fly from Cairns to Papua New Guinea on Friday ahead of Sunday’s international against the Kumuls.

Daley will be replaced as coach by Australian boss Tim Sheens, who was already with the squad in far north Queensland as part of his Four Nations preparations.

With a bundle of injuries affecting Australia’s preparations, Sheens will be selecting a number of players for Kangaroos duty from the Prime Minister’s match.