PNG Tipped to Become Rugby League Powerhouse, NRL Franchise on Track for 2028
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys has declared that Papua New Guinea’s incoming NRL team could quickly rise to dominate the competition, much like the current juggernauts, the Penrith Panthers.
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| PNG Tipped to Become Rugby League Powerhouse, NRL Franchise on Track for 2028 [Photo by RFL] |
V’landys made the remarks during a high-profile visit to Port Moresby this week, where he attended the launch of the PNG NRL Team board, headed by respected rugby league figure Ray Dib. The team is expected to become the NRL’s 19th franchise in 2028.
Highlighting PNG’s recent development at the grassroots level, V’landys pointed to the Junior Kumuls’ historic 22-all result against the Australian Schoolboys in 2024. “That result tells you everything,” he said. “It’s not about being competitive anymore—it’s about how soon they’ll dominate.”
To ensure a strong debut, the PNG franchise is planning to attract big-name NRL players with tax-free contracts. “This incentive will help us recruit top-tier talent and bring families to PNG,” V’landys explained.
The ARLC chair also revealed his conversations with Prime Minister James Marape, saying he had personally committed to helping the team reach the top eight in their very first year.
With the Perth Bears already confirmed as the 18th team, the spotlight is now on PNG as the next major addition to the competition. V’landys concluded, “We’re not just building a team—we’re building a legacy for PNG in the NRL.”
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