Yes, the NRL is expanding with a team in Port Moresby ... probably. The NRL has formally granted a licence to the new entity. Australia's federal government has formally committed $600 million, while PNG's government is kicking in $200m. The Liberal party is yet to indicate whether the ploy has its support. The most imposing caveat is a get-out clause that could scupper the deal at any stage.Get-out clause?Anthony Albanese's government has the power to pull the pin at any point ... and not even Peter V'landys could fill a $600m hole on short notice. The only issue that could prompt such drastic action is if Papua New Guinea were to cosy up to China, but there is no suggestion of that happening. And PNG Prime Minister James Marape knows any ploy that ultimately denies his constituents an NRL team, a cause for almighty celebration on Thursday, would be politically unpopular.
Australia and Papua New Guinea are united by our love of Rugby League. — Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) This is why I am delighted to announce the Australian Government is supporting a PNG team to join the National Rugby League competition from 2028.The new team will belong to the people of Papua New Guinea.… pic.twitter.com/XHKvemoqMsDecember 12, 2024
Assuming it all goes to plan, what season will they start?2028.Where will the club be based?Port Moresby. There was a suggestion it could be a FIFO operation, with players living in Far North Queensland. Players and staff will instead have a newly constructed precinct dedicated to the club, with Marape insisting safety will not be an issue despite the nation's high crime rate.
Xavier Coates and Justin Olam have both played for PNG's national team. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)
What happens between now and then?Quite a bit. The club needs to find a coach, entire roster and support staff. To complicate matters, NRL rules currently dictate they must wait until November 2026 to begin approaching contracted players. However, the franchise is set to dangle the carrot of a tax-free wage ... expect plenty of big-money offers for middling players.
So who will coach them?Jason Demetriou told AAP last week his immediate focus is on growing PNG rugby league through the national team, not putting his hand up to lead the country's forthcoming NRL side. Justin Holbrook, Demetriou's predecessor as Kumuls coach, is another obvious contender.
What will they be called?PNG's team in the Queensland Cup is known as the 'Hunters'. The expansion bid's chairman Wapu Sonk says "the whole country will be involved" in picking a moniker and designing the jersey.What about a team in WA?Watch this space. V'landys is optimistic a deal with Western Australia's state government could be over the line by Christmas.What about the NRLW?There are still NRL clubs who do not have NRLW teams. V'landys says a PNG women's team would only be introduced when the league was confident they could be competitive.
22°C