A Papua New Guinea team may have taken a step closer to becoming the 19th team in an expanded NRL competition.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told ABC Brisbane yesterday that they were still working on the details with the Australian Rugby League (ARL) Commission.
“We’re just working through the final details … but I’ve been a strong advocate for PNG to have a team in the National Rugby League,” he said.
“There is no country on earth that is more passionate, including Australia, than PNG when it comes to rugby league.”
PNG’s Post-Courier Mail newspaper said it had reached out to the PM’s office and PNG Rugby League officials who said nothing had been confirmed yet.
The newspaper also reported that the agreement had been reached and that the PNG team would be joined by the Perth-based Western Bears.
PNG, reportedly, would join the competition in 2028, a season ahead of the Bears.
Media reports in Australia say the deal is worth $600m over 10 years and is being used to help counter China’s growing influence in PNG.
The other NRL clubs are reportedly expected to be given financial incentives.
“When I walked the Kokota track in the lead up to Anzac Day with (PNG) Prime Minister (James) Marape earlier this year, it’s quite astonishing that you would emerge from the thickest bush that I’ve certainly ever walked, through villages, and you see little kids in Broncos or Cowboys jumpers …” Mr Albanese said.
A PNG side, the Hunters, currently competes in the Queensland Rugby League’s HostPlus Cup competition.
A decision may be announced after the NRL grand final.
If a PNG side is included in the NRL competition, it would become the second international side after the New Zealand Warriors.
