Fans at the Aust-PNG PM’s XIII game held in Port Moresby earlier this year. Photo: DFAT
Papua New Guinea is to get a team in an expanded NRL competition as part of a rugby league deal funded by the federal government.
The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), which runs the NRL, confirmed the 10-year Pacific Rugby League Partnership which will reportedly cost $600m.
The ARLC says the deal will allow them to develop the game in PNG, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji and introduce a PNG side into the NRL.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the PNG side will be playing in the NRL by 2028 at the latest.
PNG PM James Marape says it will be one team for one country.
“Sport has the unique power to unite our two peoples, who share an ancient history and even the same DNA, as seen in the bond between Papua New Guineans and Torres Strait Islanders,” he says.
“An NRL team for PNG is more than just sports – it is a national unification strategy.
“With our diverse cultures and people, rugby league can bring us together as one nation.”
The deal is viewed as a diplomatic effort by Australia to limit Chinese influence in PNG and the wider, Pacific region.
At the same time as the NRL deal, Albanese and Marape announced a bilateral security deal between their countries is now in force.
Under the security deal, Australia is building new PNG police facilities (including a training centre) and supplying a new patrol boat.
ARLC REACTION
ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys says the deal is a watershed moment for Australian and Pacific rugby league.
“This is an historic step for rugby league, Australia, PNG and the Pacific,” V’landys says.
V’landys says half the funding will go to PNG.
“The new PNG team provides the NRL with a new 10 million+ audience many who will go from being causal fans into engaged fans,” he says.
“Just as importantly the pathways investments will provide many new and exciting players to the game.”
A PNG side, the Hunter, currently plays in the Qld RL competition.
