NRL wants me to stay out of PNG discussions: Olam
Justin Olam feels rugby league powerbrokers have not consulted him about the Papua New Guinea expansion bid for fear he will warn against fast-tracking the team’s entry into the NRL. The premiership-winning PNG
NRL insists competitiveness part of PNG criteria
Andrew Abdo has emphasised the NRL must believe a Papua New Guinea team can be genuinely competitive before it is given the green light to enter an expanded competition. The league will take the next step towards
PNG eyes Coates for NRL bid
State of Origin star Xavier Coates has been earmarked as the face of the franchise if Papua New Guinea’s bid for an NRL club is approved. Papua New Guinea is in a battle to become one of the newest teams, with Perth
NRL and Australian federal government dosing in on $600m deal to launch PNG rugby league team
The Australian federal government and the NRL are closing in on a deal worth up to $600 million (US$400 million) to secure a new NRL side based in Papua New Guinea. NRL chairman Peter V’landys met with Minister
‘Our players deserve better opportunities’: NRL clubs urged to sign PNG talent
Kumuls coach Justin Holbrook believes PNG’s Pacific Bowl triumph is just the first step in a dramatic rise for the league mad nation and predicted more of his players would soon be playing in the NRL. Holbrook guided
PNG high on the cards for NRL expansion, says Australian rugby league boss
Australian Rugby League Commission boss Peter V’landys has revealed plans for an expanded National Rugby League competition by 2026 with Papua New Guinea at the “top of the list” to win the code’s coveted 18th
PNG to likely join NRL by 2025: Hill
Australia’s Foreign Ministry is working with PNG Sports executives to get the NRL bid up and running. Australia’s Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong said this when appearing at NBC National Radio. She said
PNG aims NRL entry to celebrate national sport
The PNG Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) has announced its ambitions to join the NRL as the competition’s 18th team in the next broadcast cycle. The decision follows the NRL’s proposal for an 18-team competition
Australia and PNG to begin negotiations on new defency treaty
Australia and Papua New Guinea are beginning negotiations on a defence treaty, in a move that could have major implications for national security and the Pacific’s strategic landscape. The announcement comes just
Opinion: A “National Interest Analysis” would strengthen PNG’s foreign policy
Robust domestic procedures are crucial, not least to improve public understanding of government actions. One practical innovation in ensuring the robustness of foreign relations is mandatory use of national interest
PNG Kumuls eyeing shot at top-tier nations
PNG stalwart Nene Macdonald insists the top tier nations hold no fear for the Kumuls as they aim to win qualification for next year’s Pacific
