Is the PNG club even gonna happen?

[BuffaloRules]

Because they haven’t needed to? And because they haven’t had the pathways required? That’s all about to change.

They have had teams playing in the state cup for years ….one step down and the primary feeder to the elite comp

 

[SirPies&Beers]

If only the Hunters could develop NRL players though … how do you explain that failure?

aren't there a bunch of hunters players un super league though? maybe it's a case of nrl clubs not really taking a punt yet because even without influx nrl progressed player they are generally competitive most reasons in q cup. however you can say something about current clydesdales and blackhawks sides, no nrl club is taking a punt on either.

end of day its whats below hunters q cup side that matters. the 15-19 year olds who can be moulded within good footy systems and those kids are starting to filter through clubs here and uk. it's the 23-33 year olds in cup level that are much harder. also take into account once a kid is scouted he will be playing for a nsw cup or q cup team. theres a bit of process not seens in the general public, you kinda need to be on ground level i guess.

 

[Vlad59]

They have had teams playing in the state cup for years ….one step down and the primary feeder to the elite comp

Exactly

 

[Vlad59]

aren't there a bunch of hunters players un super league though? maybe it's a case of nrl clubs not really taking a punt yet because even without influx nrl progressed player they are generally competitive most reasons in q cup. however you can say something about current clydesdales and blackhawks sides, no nrl club is taking a punt on either.

end of day its whats below hunters q cup side that matters. the 15-19 year olds who can be moulded within good footy systems and those kids are starting to filter through clubs here and uk. it's the 23-33 year olds in cup level that are much harder. also take into account once a kid is scouted he will be playing for a nsw cup or q cup team. theres a bit of process not seens in the general public, you kinda need to be on ground level i guess.

That’s it

 

[BuffaloRules]

aren't there a bunch of hunters players un super league though? maybe it's a case of nrl clubs not really taking a punt yet because they are generally competitive most reasons in q cup. however you can say something about current clydesdales and blackhawks sides, no nrl club is taking a punt on either.

end of day its whats below hunters q cup side that matters. the 15-19 year olds who can be moulded within good footy systems and those kids are starting to filter through clubs here and uk. it's the 23-33 year olds in cup level that are much harder. also take into account once a kid is scouted he will be playing for a nsw cup or q cup team. theres a bit of process not seens in the general public, you kinda need to be on ground level i guess.

But we are talking about the NRL ? I’m sure if they were good enough NRL teams would want them and the players would prefer to be paid more

Exactly

So this pathway isn’t sufficient to produce NRL players ?

 

[Mother Nature's Son]

If only the Hunters could develop NRL players though … how do you explain that failure?

I just wonder if it`s because we just haven`t needed them, not dissimilar to how the Storm are all of a sudden realising how many potential NRL players they have in their backyard if you are prepared to spend the time and money.

 

[BuffaloRules]

I just wonder if it`s because we just haven`t needed them, not dissimilar to how the Storm are all of a sudden realising how many potential NRL players they have in their backyard if you are prepared to spend the time and money.

Who knows ? Maybe there is some type of bias against PNG players…. But it’s a different situation to Victoria as they have their own domestic competition with thousands of juniors feeding into the Hunters for many years now

 

[SirPies&Beers]

But we are talking about the NRL ? I’m sure if they were good enough NRL teams would want them and the players would prefer to be paid more



So this pathway isn’t sufficient to produce NRL players ?

well not always the case. there's nrl quality players which no club is taking a punt on until the do. also nrl recruiters aren't venturing to papua ever week to see digicel and santos cup games. a lot of word of mouth but all off season panthers matt cameron worked with png pathways program to help fine tune it.

from what ive read that system and pathway is coming along very strong. all schools and clubs feed into it. thats mammoth effort.

talent is there, now it's time to nurture it. not sure what youre expecting tbh, quick results? this pathways program only really been in effect since 2023/24 and the current license winning png nrl team only been going since 2022 with previous incarnations made up of former admins and people long gone. so the reality is all this stuff in place has only been around for 2-3 years max and from all reports its going gangbusters and progressing very quickly.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

well not always the case. there's nrl quality players which no club is taking a punt on until the do. also nrl recruiters aren't venturing to papua ever week to see digicel and santos cup games. a lot of word of mouth but all off season panthers matt cameron worked with png pathways program to help fine tune it.

from what ive read that system and pathway is coming along very strong. all schools and clubs feed into it. thats mammoth effort.

talent is there, now it's time to nurture it. not sure what youre expecting tbh, quick results? this pathways program only really been in effect since 2023/24 and the current license winning png nrl team only been going since 2022 with previous incarnations made up of former admins and people long gone. so the reality is all this stuff in place has only been around for 2-3 years max and from all reports its going gangbusters and progressing very quickly.

speaking of which

Rugby league pathway strengthened

THE strengthening of the depth of the pathway to National Rugby League 2028 continues to gain traction in major centers of Papua New Guinea.

www.postcourier.com.pg

Olam backs PNG pathways plan

Kumuls legend Justin Olam has backed the development pathways being created in Papua New Guinea to provide opportunities for talented youngsters to follow him to the NRL.

www.postcourier.com.pg

Teachers receive PNGRFL coaching training

HUNDREDS of teachers across Papua New Guinea are undertaking formal training as rugby league coaches for the first time, through the PNG NRL Academy program, supported by the Australian Government.

www.postcourier.com.pg

PNG NRL Academy Trains Teachers to Build Future Rugby League Stars

PNG Latest News, PNG Breaking News, PNG Business News, PNG Sports News, PNG Mining News, PNG Economy News, PNG Corruption News, PNG Hunters News

news.pngfacts.com

Junior pathway for PNG NRL franchise: Schools gear up for two-day carnival | The National

www.thenational.com.pg

Young gun Ginn shows PNG depth is blossoming in the NRLW

Pioneering Parramatta prop Elsie Albert has hailed the growing number of PNG eligible players in the NRLW and has been keeping a close eye on Eels youngster Fleur Ginn, who debuted this year.

www.nrl.com

QRL links with PNGRFL to strengthen rugby league pathways and infrastructure

With the arrival of the Papua New Guinean NRL franchise in 2028, Queensland Rugby League has continued its work with the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League to improve existing pathways within the country alongside educating staff on competition management.

www.qrl.com.au

Olam, PNGRFL, PNGNRL connecting with community rugby

IT’S time to walk the talk! The international rugby league’s spotlight is on PNG’s entry into Australia’s NRL in 2028 and the onus is on everyone to play their part.

www.postcourier.com.pg

thats just reports from last MONTH ALONE!

 

[BuffaloRules]

well not always the case. there's nrl quality players which no club is taking a punt on until the do. also nrl recruiters aren't venturing to papua ever week to see digicel and santos cup games. a lot of word of mouth but all off season panthers matt cameron worked with png pathways program to help fine tune it.

from what ive read that system and pathway is coming along very strong. all schools and clubs feed into it. thats mammoth effort.

talent is there, now it's time to nurture it. not sure what youre expecting tbh, quick results? this pathways program only really been in effect since 2023/24 and the current license winning png nrl team only been going since 2022 with previous incarnations made up of former admins and people long gone. so the reality is all this stuff in place has only been around for 2-3 years max and from all reports its going gangbusters and progressing very quickly.

I’ve always been curious about this … if there is some type of bias against PNG players from Aussies …? You would think in the past 20 years just through shear numbers, there would be some young freak come through the ranks like used to happen in West Indies Cricket back in the day or Soccer around the world now in third world countries … if that was the case ..I’m sure they would be discovered by the NRL ..

PNG also plays regular internationals including against Australia …so it’s not like their elite players are invisible to us

 

[Vlad59]

But we are talking about the NRL ? I’m sure if they were good enough NRL teams would want them and the players would prefer to be paid more



So this pathway isn’t sufficient to produce NRL players ?

No. Because that hasn’t been its focus. PNG has a massive pool of players neglected for decades. That’s all about to change and the elite pathways will drive players, potentially, into all clubs.
This investment by the government has the potential to change the pathways system throughout the whole of the South Pacific.
Tonga, Samoa, png and Fiji have a potential player pool to dwarf traditional ones.
And I’m sure Abdo and Vlandys know it.

 

[BuffaloRules]

No. Because that hasn’t been its focus. PNG has a massive pool of players neglected for decades. That’s all about to change and the elite pathways will drive players, potentially, into all clubs.
This investment by the government has the potential to change the pathways system throughout the whole of the South Pacific.
Tonga, Samoa, png and Fiji have a potential player pool to dwarf traditional ones.
And I’m sure Abdo and Vlandys know it.

The Hunters are in Australia playing every fortnight … Im assuming those guys are at the top of the PNG massive pool of players you are referring to …. They would be visible to any development scout in Australia…. I am gobsmacked that only 1 has made it to the NRL…and he was an elite player as welll? That makes it more confounding to me that more haven’t made the move

 

[Vlad59]

The Hunters are in Australia playing every fortnight … Im assuming those guys are at the top of the PNG massive pool of players you are referring to …. They would be visible to any development scout in Australia…. I am gobsmacked that only 1 has made it to the NRL…and he was an elite player as welll? That makes it more confounding to me that more haven’t made the move

No idea why but I’m sure it will change now. I don’t think clubs in Australia have much capacity for innovative recruitment and long term focus tbh. That’ll have to change. Good discussion though.

 

[BuffaloRules]

No idea why but I’m sure it will change now. I don’t think clubs in Australia have much capacity for innovative recruitment and long term focus tbh. That’ll have to change. Good discussion though.

Yeah … I agree … it’s something that really surprises me that there hasn’t been more…

Before Olam.. you got to go all the way back to Marcus Bai at the turn of the century - another champion player to come out of PNG …

If two can make it …. I’m really surprised there hasn’t been more … even journeyman moving between the NRL and State Cups …

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

If only the Hunters could develop NRL players though … how do you explain that failure?

Maybe ask the development officers and those that look for talent.

I think a lot are a bit pissweak in this regard.

 

[Wb1234]

If only the Hunters could develop NRL players though … how do you explain that failure?

It’s been explained multiple times

One there were previously visa issues

And secondly the pathways beneath the qld cup side are poor

Any schools competition is limited

They are copying the Penrith panthers pathway

 

[Wb1234]

Yeah … I agree … it’s something that really surprises me that there hasn’t been more…

Before Olam.. you got to go all the way back to Marcus Bai at the turn of the century - another champion player to come out of PNG …

If two can make it …. I’m really surprised there hasn’t been more … even journeyman moving between the NRL and State Cups …

Guess how many nrl scouts go to png to look at talent vs nz ?

 

[BuffaloRules]

It’s been explained multiple times

One there were previously visa issues

And secondly the pathways beneath the qld cup side are poor

Any schools competition is limited

They are copying the Penrith panthers pathway

Visa issues … But they didn’t apply to Marcus Bai 25 years ago

Guess how many nrl scouts go to png to look at talent vs nz ?

do they get to Hunters games in Qld? This is the top of the tree for PNG pathways at the moment right ?

 

[Wb1234]

Visa issues … But they didn’t apply to Marcus Bai 25 years ago

do they get to Hunters games in Qld? This is the top of the tree for PNG pathways at the moment right ?

Nope

Why would you think in a nation of 17 million people where league is the major sport and they are spending so much on juniors it won’t be a massive success

Things like diet and junior level coaching have been poor

If you read the article where Marcus bai was quoted he it’s just a matter of luck if a png junior gets noticed

And the real gain won’t even be when png get an nrl team. It will be once the team is good on the field and Aussie clubs are sending development officers over just like the nz warriors post 2022

Look at the people they’ve appointed to run it, the results so far and the fact that Pvl thinks it’s a winner

Most nrl clubs aren’t even developing their own junior pathways properly why do you think they’ve be looking at png

 

[BuffaloRules]

Nope

Why would you think in a nation of 17 million people where league is the major sport and they are spending so much on juniors it won’t be a massive success

Things like diet and junior level coaching have been poor

If you read the article where Marcus bai was quoted he it’s just a matter of luck of a png junior gets noticed

And the real gain won’t even be when png get an nrl team. Or will be once the team is good on the field and Aussie clubs are sending development officers over just like the nz warriors post 2022

Look at the people they’ve appointed to run it, the results so far and the fact that Pvl thinks it’s a winner

Hang on … was the problem visa issues or getting noticed.? Obviously any visa issue never applied to Bai correct because he was given one to come here…

the problems of getting noticed in PNG when Bai was playing there was before the Hunters were playing in Aust every fortnight