Lucrative tax breaks will be ‘vital’ in PNG team’s bid to attract top NRL players
Tax concessions and safe accommodation loom as non-negotiables for players as an NRL team in Papua New Guinea plans its entry the competition 2028, but the opportunity to have a social impact has emerged as a potential
PNG to turn pipeline NRL dream into bona fide reality
Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister has confirmed he expects his nation’s entry to the NRL to get the green light on Thursday, as officials prepare to turn a pipeline dream into a bona fide rugby league club.
NRL’s PNG team expected to be confirmed next week
The NRL is expected to confirm as early as next week a team from Papua New Guinea will enter the competition later this decade. The PNG bid, propped up by $600 million (US$386 million) of Australian government
Look not at the scores but the scores of girls we inspire: Albert
Orchids captain Elsie Albert is adamant the tale of her nation’s Pacific Championships campaign lies not in the results but in the enormous impact it will have on aspiring youngsters back
Tonga’s Pacific Championships success raises questions about International Rugby League’s tier system
For decades, there was an understood hierarchy in men's rugby league that went something like: Australia, New Zealand, England, a bit of daylight, then everyone
Tonga ready for historic Pacific Championships final after ‘sacrifice’
Tonga assistant coach Dean Young believes the side is primed to carry out a historic victory in the Pacific Championships final on
Cook Islands’ Takairangi to create sporting history
Brad and Kiana Takairangi are set to create sporting history when they captain the Cook Islands Aitu and Moana in Saturday’s Pacific Championships double-header against Fiji at Suva’s HFC
Pacific Championships Standings & Judiciary
The Kangaroos can secure a place in the Pacific Cup final by avenging last year's loss to New Zealand next
Kangaroos launch new era with tough win over Tonga
The Kangaroos have kick started their Pacific Championships campaign with a hard-fought 18-0 win over Tonga XIII at Suncorp
PNG Kumuls crush Fiji to spoil homecoming party
A pair of long-range intercepts helped Papua New Guinea to a 22-10 victory over Fiji on Saturday night, marking a dream start to their Pacific Bowl
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
NRL boss promises to have more first grade matches in PNG
NRL chief executive officer Andrew Abdo has vowed to increase the number of top level matches being played in Papua New
PM Marape expresses optimism toward establishing PNG NRL team
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has expressed his optimism about the progress toward establishing a PNG rugby league team in the Australian NRL competition. Following a series of high-level discussions in
PNG NRL bid still in process
The PNG NRL Bid is still ongoing, and there is no official confirmation of PNG’s inclusion as the 18th NRL
John Strange to coach Tonga women as new dawn begins for Pacific nation
NRLW premiership winning coach John Strange will take charge of Tonga women in the upcoming Pacific Championships and 2026 Rugby League World Cup qualifying matches. Strange, who coaches Sydney Roosters, guided the club
Chair of PNG NRL bid hoping for announcement by end of 2024
Papua New Guinea’s bid to have a team in Australia’s National Rugby League will “hopefully” be confirmed by the end of this year, bid chairman Wapu Sonk has told the 2024 Business Advantage PNG Investment
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
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
Fiji, Samoa and Tonga all options for future NSW Cup NRL
The NSW Rugby League has set their sights on fielding teams from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga in their main competition as part of the game’s push into the Pacific. The code’s Pacific expansion remains a key
Australian PM reaffirms backing for PNG NRL side
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has doubled down on his support for ARLC chairman Peter V’landys’ National Rugby League (NRL) expansion bid, calling for a 20-team competition. V’landys is reportedly
Vanuatu’s first women’s rugby league team already winners, says manager
Vanuatu’s first-ever rugby league team in the women’s category will add to the excitement building in Honiara for the 2023 Pacific Games, with Vanuatu Rugby League (VRL) founding member and team manager of
‘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 Kumuls claim Pacific Bowl against Fiji
The PNG Kumuls delighted their home crowd and turned around their fortunes following a poor performance last week to claim the inaugural Pacific Bowl with a 32-12 win against Fiji. Embarrassed last Sunday by the Bati in
