The momentum for Papua New Guinea to be granted the NRL’s 18th licence continues to build after the Australian Government committed $7 million to stage internationals in the Pacific.
Men’s and women’s teams from seven nations will compete in the inaugural Pacific Championships, which will be held from October 14 to November 5. Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Australia will co-host the tournament this year and Fiji will co-host the competition with Australia in 2024.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made no secret of his desire for PNG to become the NRL’s next franchise, a sentiment he expressed again at Wednesday’s official announcement.
PNG bid team officials hope to be granted an NRL licence in 2025, the year the nation celebrates 50 years of independence, with a view to entering the competition as soon as 2027.
“The timelines that the PNG consortium identified … are ones that are logical,” Pat Conroy, the Federal Minister for International Development and the Pacific, as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said.
“Obviously, it is ultimately up to the NRL, but if we focus on having a very competitive franchise ready to go, those timelines are very attractive from a symbolic point of view ...
“I’ve been refreshed with how committed the NRL is in growing the game in the Pacific – that’s great.
“The other thing I’d like to highlight is we see this as a great avenue for gender equality in the region. The fact that women and men’s players will be paid the exact same match payments [for the Pacific Championships] is a great initiative.
Papua New Guinea players celebrate during their game against Tonga at the World Cup. The rivalry is set to be rekindled in the Pacific Championships.Credit: Getty
“We are in Matilda land; we’re seeing the great power of female participation and excellence in sport. Using rugby league as a vehicle for gender equality is a great opportunity.”
The latest announcement follows the government’s pledge of $5.5 million last month to grow the game in PNG. The investments are part of the government’s soft diplomacy at a time when PNG holds increasing geopolitical importance for Australia as China extends its influence in the Pacific.
Almost half of all NRL players – as well as nine of Penrith’s starting 13 from last year’s grand final – are of Pacific heritage.
The Australian Government has reportedly indicated that up to $25 million a year would be committed to underwriting a PNG franchise. The PNG Government, as well as a slew of cashed-up corporate behemoths in the region – such as ExxonMobil, Santos and Newcrest – are expected to cover any shortfall.
Albanese said a PNG-based NRL team could help counter the encroachment of China in the Pacific.
“We know we have a bit of competitive tension in the region, and engagement, if you like, in soft diplomacy, showing the relationship between Australia and our neighbours, that is so important,” Albanese told SEN radio.
“PNG will celebrate the 50 years of independence in a short period of time, in a couple of years, and that would be, I think, a pretty important opportunity to have some symbolic and real support.”
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