PNG’s Political System ‘Weakened by Corrupt Party-Hopping MPs,’ Says Pok

Papua New Guinea rugby league players could soon see more opportunities in the United Kingdom, following Jason Demetriou’s recent appointment as Head Coach of the London Broncos. The development comes as the Super League expands to 14 teams next season, a move expected to create fresh demand for international talent.

 PNG rugby league future bright as Demetriou’s UK move opens doors

The London Broncos are among several clubs vying for the new top-tier spots, including the Bradford Bulls, York Knights, Oldham, Widnes Vikings and Doncaster. BBC Sport reports that the successful applicants will be announced soon.

Demetriou, 49, who has both coached and played in the UK, said he is looking forward to his new role but remains focused on his duties with the PNG Kumuls. His current mission is to defend the Pacific Bowl title for a third consecutive year before turning his attention to his club commitments.

Since arriving in PNG last year, the former South Sydney coach has guided the Kumuls to success in the Pacific Bowl and a strong showing against the New Zealand Kiwis in a promotion-relegation match. His long-term vision is to build a competitive PNG squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Demetriou believes his appointment will pave the way for more Kumuls to gain international exposure. “It excites me to go over there and take some of the boys with me so we can get as many as possible playing in the NRL or Super League,” he said.

He added that Papua New Guinea’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup remains a top priority. “I’ve got a lot of trust with the PNG boys to get over there, so over the next couple of weeks, you will see some information that comes out,” Demetriou said.

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PNG’s Political System ‘Weakened by Corrupt Party-Hopping MPs,’ Says Pok