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
From gravel field debut to most capped Kumul: Martin proud of PNG legacy
Rhyse Martin expressed pride in the development of the game in Papua New Guinea as he prepares to become the most capped Kumuls player in Sunday’s Pacific Bowl final against Fiji at Santos National Football Stadium.
Fiji Bati party in PNG with big win over Kumuls 43-16
Fiji Bati produced a clinical performance to stun the Papua New Guinea Kumuls 43-16 in Port Moresby on Sunday. With Maika Sivo and Kurt Donoghue both claiming a double at Santos National Football Stadium, the Bati