PNG's back.

[Wb1234]

Why wouldn't he be ? It's the same club.
Same Chairman, same board and same CEO.

You know it really won’t kick in for me till the first game

When I first read about a png nrl team 20 years ago I never thought I would be alive to see it

The nrl couldn’t even add a second team in Brisbane

I think once the team is established the kumuls will be regularly defeating Australia

And every nrl club will have png players like they have gotten kiwi players on board

Giving an nrl team to the only country on earth where rugby league is the dominant sport was always a smart move

If afl was the dominant sport there they would’ve had a team already

 

[Jonty]

You know it really won’t kick in for me till the first game

When I first read about a png nrl team 20 years ago I never thought I would be alive to see it

The nrl couldn’t even add a second team in Brisbane

I think once the team is established the kumuls will be regularly defeating Australia

And every nrl club will have png players like they have gotten kiwi players on board

Giving an nrl team to the only country on earth where rugby league is the dominant sport was always a smart move

If afl was the dominant sport there they would’ve had a team already

With the amazing work being done on the ground at youth level with the pathways and regional academies etc I think the landscape of the NRL will look very different a decade from now and totally unrecognisable 2 decades from now.

 

[mikail-eagle]

I have no idea who this guy is.
Probably former Rugby union player from the US who is visiting PNG. But it's good to see the US Embassy in Port Moresby getting out and involved in the work happening on the ground.

U.S. Embassy - Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea | Port Moresby

U.S. Embassy - Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. 58,374 likes · 122 talking about this · 81 were here. The United States Embassy in Port Moresby supports American...

www.facebook.com

This morning, the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) kicked off an exciting tour for U.S. rugby star Andrew Durutalo at Unagi Oval, where the Mini Mode league is being hosted by Stanley Olo.
Olo has been developing junior rugby, running the Under 10, 12, and 14 boys' competitions, and recently registering as an official Associate League under PNGRFL’s Community Rugby League structure.
Among those showing their support were Ambassador Yastishock and her son, Dimitri, who joined Tony Archer, PNGRFL GM, Performance and Pathway, and Durutalo to witness the rising talent in PNG rugby!
But wait, there's MORE! Durutalo also caught Round 2 of the National Youth Competition AND Round 7 of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup at the Santos National Football Stadium. The U19 NYC is literally where DREAMS ARE MADE - it's the heart of PNGRFL's development pathway and connects straight to the PNG NRL Bid Championships!
We are grateful to the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League and Santos in Papua New Guinea, whose support makes these vital development programs and opportunities possible.
From junior leagues to national competitions, rugby league is on the rise in PNG — and the future is full of promise!
The pictorial highlights are dropping below - you don't want to miss this!
Sports Diplomacy - U.S. Department of State
Exchange Programs - U.S. Department of State

 

[SirPies&Beers]

We need an Origin game up in Moresby

Tonight, will be a noisy night in all settlements in Port Moresby.

www.postcourier.com.pg

Digicel PNG Champions equality with Landmark sponsorship renewal for PNG Kumuls and Orchids

Digicel PNG, the nation's leading telecommunications and mobile financial services provider, today announced the continuation of its significant sponsorship of Papua New Guinea’s national Rugby League teams, the PNG Kumuls (men’s) and PNG Orchids (women’s).

www.postcourier.com.pg

MSN

PNG expansion team reportedly identify leading coach candidate

They will join the NRL in 2028.

www.zerotackle.com

Super League legend identified as 'leading candidate' for new NRL job

Papua New Guinea boss Jason Demetriou has been identified as the 'leading candidate' to take charge of the country's NRL franchise, according to reports.

www.loverugbyleague.com

 

[Wb1234]

Jd is ok Bennett would’ve been better

Wonder where Bennett will end up

Albo has to lean on Telstra for the png nrl tv deal

 

[mikail-eagle]

Jd is ok Bennett would’ve been better

Wonder where Bennett will end up

Albo has to lean on Telstra for the png nrl tv deal

I wonder how much Digicel TV currently pays Fox sports to show all those 8 weekly games from their production into PNG. And it's not just the games. We get all the other stuff like the Mathew Johns show, NRL 360, The Fan, Face to Face, Mathew Johns & Cooper Cronk Podcast etc.

 

[Wb1234]

I wonder how much Digicel TV currently pays Fox sports to show all those 8 weekly games from their production into PNG. And it's not just the games. We get all the other stuff like the Mathew Johns show, NRL 360, The Fan, Face to Face, Mathew Johns & Cooper Cronk Podcast etc.

Telstra paid around 1.5 billion for digicel pacific

Around 1.2 billion was a grant from the Australian govt which I don’t think they pay back

So Albo has leverage here

I didnt realise digicel were paying Fox for the rights that’s something the nrl need to sort out themselves

 

[Perth Red]

Telstra paid around 1.5 billion for digicel pacific

Around 1.2 billion was a grant from the Australian govt which I don’t think they pay back

So Albo has leverage here

I didnt realise digicel were paying Fox for the rights that’s something the nrl need to sort out themselves

I doubt they are. Fox content to be on-sold to other countries by the NRL will be part of the NRL's deal with Fox. No different to Sky in NZ and UK getting Fox coverage of NRL.

 

[mikail-eagle]

It's great to see that the Rugby League Pathways programs in PNG have now gone down as low as U10s, U12s and U14s. The 6 regional academes only start at U15s but now starting with Port Moresby U10's to U14's have their own schools' competition.

Previous weeks games were held at the Santos National Football Stadium before the Hunters match.

 

[Wb1234]

New PNG franchise will offer NRL players a ‘permanent holiday’, says Peter V’landys

The Australian Rugby League Commission chair has promised ‘resort-style’ accommodation attractive to the talent required for the club to be competitive

www.theguardian.com

“We’ve looked at some sites today for the accommodation, we’ve looked at the centre of excellence, and we’re very impressed with what’s available,” he said on Tuesday at the announcement of the new club’s board.”

Pvl also says they will make the top 8 in their first year which obv isn’t happening

 

[Twizzle]

Pvl also says they will make the top 8 in their first year which obv isn’t happening

It's his job to talk them up I guess, I wonder if he'd be willing to put his hard earned on it.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

NRL boss confirms PNG team on track to take field by 2028 - ABC Pacific

Australia's Minister for the Pacific, Pat Conroy, says the country's brand new NRL team will be ready to take to the field on schedule in 2028.

www.abc.net.au

 

[SirPies&Beers]

'Uniting PNG with Australia forever': Fans to choose team name

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has tasked the new board of the nation’s NRL franchise with launching a competition to establish the name for the team.

www.nrl.com

 

[SirPies&Beers]

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/we-wouldnt-nrl-responds-to-bombshell-wayne-bennett-rumour/news-story/5d2896d21a264f8f8b62e3563cebdc95

Bennett's PNG move torched as surprise contender emerges

'Why does it have to be Wayne?'

www.nine.com.au

"Would You Move Your Family To PNG?" Dolphins’ Josh Kerr Recalls Wayne Bennett’s Early Thoughts On PNG Coaching Offer

Wayne Bennett has confirmed he was approached to coach PNG, with Dolphins’ Josh Kerr recalling Bennett’s meetings about the role last year.

articles.listnr.com

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister calls on public to name new NRL team

Papua New Guinea has launched a competition to name its NRL expansion team, with Prime Minister James Marape urging a name that unites PNG and Australia.

www.loverugbyleague.com

Mead speaks on the transformative social impact NRL will have on PNG

PNG international David Mead today offered insights into the potential social impact of the NRL's inclusion in Papua New Guinea at the 40th Australia Papua New Guinea Business Forum & Trade Expo.

www.postcourier.com.pg

 

[Wb1234]

If they bag Bennett in some capacity even if jd is coach that will be good

 

[Wb1234]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=DTWEB_MRE170_a_TWT&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fsport%2Fnrl%2Fwhy-the-rabbitohs-sacked-josiah-karapani-and-how-the-broncos-came-to-trust-in-him%2Fnews-story%2Fe0b781990fa2c86b3ea6a1186158b937&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=GROUPA-Segment-2-NOSCORE

 

[Perth Red]

Wondered how long it would take for clubs to start arcing up.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Adrian Lam hunted by PNG powerbrokers ahead of 2028 NRL entry​

Peter Maniaty
6 hours ago10:08 am AEST



One of the most celebrated PNG players of all time, Lam, 54, played 140 games for the Sydney Roosters between 1994-2000 and also represented Wigan, Queensland and the Kumuls during a distinguished playing career.
After retiring in 2004, Lam turned to coaching and held several assistant positions at club level before serving as the PNG national coach from 2006-2009.
MORE: Peter V’landys details plans for NRL expansion in PNG
From 2016, Lam also worked as an assistant for Mal Meninga with the Australian Kangaroos for many years.
Lam has since coached more than 160 games in the Super League, firstly with Wigan Warriors and most recently with Leigh Leopards who currently sit fourth on the 2025 Super League ladder.

‘I think I could help out in some way’​

Twelve months ago Lam was asked about his thoughts on taking a potential future role with the new PNG-based NRL franchise.
“That excites me to be involved in some way down the track with PNG, whether it’s 2028 or 2030 or beyond,” he replied, while adding his immediate future remains firmly with Leigh Leopards in the Super League.
“I think I could help out in some way there (PNG), but I’m really, really happy where I am here at the moment and I don’t want to be anywhere else in the world.
“But you’ve always got to look at where you think your future may lie and if that is in PNG then that might be an option for me in the future.
“It’s exciting times ahead either way.”
Lam’s 27-year-old son Lachlan currently plays halfback for the Leigh Leopards and is, no doubt, another name firmly in the sights of the new PNG franchise.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Leigh Leopards coach 'gaining support' for major NRL coaching job

Leigh Leopards coach Adrian Lam has been tipped to have 'strong support' for a coaching role back in the NRL, with his name linked to one role.

www.loverugbyleague.com

 

[Wb1234]

Adrian Lam hunted by PNG powerbrokers ahead of 2028 NRL entry​

Peter Maniaty
6 hours ago10:08 am AEST



One of the most celebrated PNG players of all time, Lam, 54, played 140 games for the Sydney Roosters between 1994-2000 and also represented Wigan, Queensland and the Kumuls during a distinguished playing career.
After retiring in 2004, Lam turned to coaching and held several assistant positions at club level before serving as the PNG national coach from 2006-2009.
MORE: Peter V’landys details plans for NRL expansion in PNG
From 2016, Lam also worked as an assistant for Mal Meninga with the Australian Kangaroos for many years.
Lam has since coached more than 160 games in the Super League, firstly with Wigan Warriors and most recently with Leigh Leopards who currently sit fourth on the 2025 Super League ladder.

‘I think I could help out in some way’​

Twelve months ago Lam was asked about his thoughts on taking a potential future role with the new PNG-based NRL franchise.
“That excites me to be involved in some way down the track with PNG, whether it’s 2028 or 2030 or beyond,” he replied, while adding his immediate future remains firmly with Leigh Leopards in the Super League.
“I think I could help out in some way there (PNG), but I’m really, really happy where I am here at the moment and I don’t want to be anywhere else in the world.
“But you’ve always got to look at where you think your future may lie and if that is in PNG then that might be an option for me in the future.
“It’s exciting times ahead either way.”
Lam’s 27-year-old son Lachlan currently plays halfback for the Leigh Leopards and is, no doubt, another name firmly in the sights of the new PNG franchise.

Bring his son with him