Is the PNG club even gonna happen?

[Wb1234]

Every club should have to sign two png juniors to their under 16’s Or U 18’s.

clubs are lazy, they’ll maybe pick up some png players out of the png club nrl systems if they look any good but they aren’t going to be trawling the highlands looking for kids.

Clubs should be worried about fixing their own junior pathways first

They will go for png players once they see the png nrl side doing well in the nrl just like the warriors in 02 and the push by Aussie clubs after for kiwi juniors

This extra player pool will be able to support 24 nrl teams

And of course png become a strong test nation

 

[mikail-eagle]

how did Bai and Olam get a visa then?

I think having a contract for a few hundred grand will probably help in that regard

I'll help answer this question about the visa.
I'm not sure if this is still the case but in previous years any PNG Sports person (not just Rugby League) had to have a minimum contract of $50k to be allowed into Australia.

Marcus Bai did not go directly to the NRL. He arrived at the Gold Coast Chargers via Hull FC in England.
He had been picked up by Hull FC after the 1995 World Cup.

As part of the PNG Hunters Justin Olam already had a visa and Melbourne would have just upgraded on that to sign him up.

Personally I have seen other Hunters players who were more talented then Olam who were ignored over the years.

 

[Vlad59]

I'll help answer this question about the visa.
I'm not sure if this is still the case but in previous years any PNG Sports person (not just Rugby League) had to have a minimum contract of $50k to be allowed into Australia.

Marcus Bai did not go directly to the NRL. He arrived at the Gold Coast Chargers via Hull FC in England.
He had been picked up by Hull FC after the 1995 World Cup.

As part of the PNG Hunters Justin Olam already had a visa and Melbourne would have just upgraded on that to sign him up.

Personally I have seen other Hunters players who were more talented then Olam who were ignored over the years.

Great post. Thank you mate.

 

[BuffaloRules]

I'll help answer this question about the visa.
I'm not sure if this is still the case but in previous years any PNG Sports person (not just Rugby League) had to have a minimum contract of $50k to be allowed into Australia.

Marcus Bai did not go directly to the NRL. He arrived at the Gold Coast Chargers via Hull FC in England.
He had been picked up by Hull FC after the 1995 World Cup.

As part of the PNG Hunters Justin Olam already had a visa and Melbourne would have just upgraded on that to sign him up.

Personally I have seen other Hunters players who were more talented then Olam who were ignored over the years.

Only $50k ? Thought it would have been more to be honest … even back in the Bai days

And the Hunters already have them … good point

And to think old mate said it was an “issue”… not exactly an insurmountable one

 

[Dark Corner]

Great post mate. There are too many negative thinkers here. PNG has two years to get a team on the field and 10 years to get their shite together to build a sustainable club. The first bit might be tough. The second part? Personally I cannot see how a country with so much foreign investment in it and with so many huge companies located there can’t be a long term success. If they can get some credible early years on the field the potential for this club is pretty scary compared to a local Aussie suburban club like mine.

But with so many companies and foreign investment PNG should be a better place ?

 

[Mother Nature's Son]

But with so many companies and foreign investment PNG should be a better place ?

A poster a few entries back said he recently visited PNG after a 12year absence and the improvements were noticeable. It would appear things are improving.

 

[mikail-eagle]

Only $50k ? Thought it would have been more to be honest … even back in the Bai days

And the Hunters already have them … good point

And to think old mate said it was an “issue”… not exactly an insurmountable one

Maybe $50k on an PNG player who probably had no junior rugby league experience has been seen as too much of a gamble by NRL Clubs. I don't know what the salary cap has been in those past years so I can't give any more opinions about it.

 

[nko11]

Only $50k ? Thought it would have been more to be honest … even back in the Bai days

And the Hunters already have them … good point

And to think old mate said it was an “issue”… not exactly an insurmountable one

Someone correct me if I'm wrong on any of the following information, but according to this document the maximum salary for a Hostplus Cup (QLD Cup) player is $35,000 in 2024/2025. (obviously outside of NRL contracted players).

https://www.qrl.com.au/contentasset...-statewide-competitions-operations-manual.pdf


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From what I can find on NSW Cup - it's based off match payments - which depends on the grade you are playing and wins/losses for payments. Not sure how you would go getting a visa based on these terms, even if you are potentially able to earn over $50k - there would be no way to guarantee it. Same goes for the $1200 per week train and trial deals for NRL clubs, these can be weekly and monthly as well.
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Outside of the top 30 and the Supplementary list, there doesn't appear to be many avenues to earning a guaranteed $50k contract, certainly not before 2018, that would guarantee a Visa. Like said above, clubs have to take a punt on a player with their limited amount of spots in their top 30 and supplementary list-with no guarantee how they will adjust to a totally new environment far away from family, in a lot of cases with limited or no recognised junior experience.

So the only avenue to the NRL is to be picked up from the Hunters, which NRL clubs have shown little risk appetite for, possibly due to the above reasons.

Perhaps that's why the NRL has brought in this initiative + I'm sure visa requirements are getting relaxed a bit as well, another positive of working closely with the Federal Government - Morea Morea for the Capras?

ARLC to fast track development of PNG players

"As part of the initiative, NRL clubs will be allowed to sign up to two PNG Pathway Players outside the salary cap. These players — defined as those who have participated in junior rugby league in PNG — will have their full salaries exempt from both the Top 30 and Supplementary Salary Caps".

 

[Vlad59]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong on any of the following information, but according to this document the maximum salary for a Hostplus Cup (QLD Cup) player is $35,000 in 2024/2025. (obviously outside of NRL contracted players).

https://www.qrl.com.au/contentasset...-statewide-competitions-operations-manual.pdf
View attachment 105747

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From what I can find on NSW Cup - it's based off match payments - which depends on the grade you are playing and wins/losses for payments. Not sure how you would go getting a visa based on these terms, even if you are potentially able to earn over $50k - there would be no way to guarantee it. Same goes for the $1200 per week train and trial deals for NRL clubs, these can be weekly and monthly as well.
----------------------------------
Outside of the top 30 and the Supplementary list, there doesn't appear to be many avenues to earning a guaranteed $50k contract, certainly not before 2018, that would guarantee a Visa. Like said above, clubs have to take a punt on a player with their limited amount of spots in their top 30 and supplementary list-with no guarantee how they will adjust to a totally new environment far away from family, in a lot of cases with limited or no recognised junior experience.

So the only avenue to the NRL is to be picked up from the Hunters, which NRL clubs have shown little risk appetite for, possibly due to the above reasons.

Perhaps that's why the NRL has brought in this initiative + I'm sure visa requirements are getting relaxed a bit as well, another positive of working closely with the Federal Government - Morea Morea for the Capras?

ARLC to fast track development of PNG players

"As part of the initiative, NRL clubs will be allowed to sign up to two PNG Pathway Players outside the salary cap. These players — defined as those who have participated in junior rugby league in PNG — will have their full salaries exempt from both the Top 30 and Supplementary Salary Caps".

Great post. Thanks

 

[BuffaloRules]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong on any of the following information, but according to this document the maximum salary for a Hostplus Cup (QLD Cup) player is $35,000 in 2024/2025. (obviously outside of NRL contracted players).

https://www.qrl.com.au/contentasset...-statewide-competitions-operations-manual.pdf
View attachment 105747

----------------------------------
From what I can find on NSW Cup - it's based off match payments - which depends on the grade you are playing and wins/losses for payments. Not sure how you would go getting a visa based on these terms, even if you are potentially able to earn over $50k - there would be no way to guarantee it. Same goes for the $1200 per week train and trial deals for NRL clubs, these can


So the only avenue to the NRL is to be picked up from the Hunters, which NRL clubs have shown little risk appetite for, possibly due to the above reasons.

$50k is not a lot of money for a playing contract offered by an NRL club … there are 17 yr olds getting this and a lot more ..clubs are taking risks for that amount regularly on Aussies and Kiwi players

I am baffled that they have only taken a risk twice in 30 yrs for PNG players … and the result was two elite players Bai and Olam …we aren’t talking either of these guys as fringe first graders … these were two of the best at their positions when they were playing

the excuses provided why there hasn’t been more don’t really add up which have been visas or they are completely ignored and thus undiscovered by NRL… every stone gets overturned now and on top of that players from the Hunters whom are at the top of the PNG Development pyramid who are playing in Australia every fortnight … there are also Aussie’s over there involved in the pathways to discover any prodigies coming through and the PNG games being televised so you wouldn’t even need to be there

I would suggest there has been a prejudice from NRL clubs to bring these players into their systems … even when their talent would have justified an opportunity…

 

[mikail-eagle]

This is a 3 year sponsorship for the National Team (Kumuls) from 2025 to 2028.
But they could also easily get on board with the NRL Team in the coming years.

Visa breaks new ground to partner with PNGRFL

PAPUA New Guinea has raised its profile amongst the ‘Big Leagues’ with the sponsorship announcement of global company Visa as a sponsor for the PNG LNG Kumuls yesterday.

www.postcourier.com.pg

Media Release

Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League to partner with Visa

Port Moresby, 2nd of September 2025: Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) is pleased to announce that they have entered into a 3-year platinum partnership with Visa, a world leader in digital payments, to sponsor the national men’s side the PNG LNG Kumuls.
The partnership will run from 2025 to 2028.
PNGRFL Chairman, Sandis Tsaka, was delighted to welcome Visa on board as a platinum partner of the Kumuls and to rugby league in PNG when speaking at the announcement of the partnership.
“For the first time in PNG sports history, rugby league has partnered with a global brand from outside of the country and Visa’s sponsorship of the PNG LNG Kumuls is a testament to the growth of the game from grass roots level through to entry into the National Rugby League in 2028.
“On behalf of the PNGRFL board, and the PNG LNG Kumuls, I want to thank Visa for their commitment to the game in this country and we look forward to representing the brand values of Visa which strongly align with our own.
The partnership signals a powerful endorsement for the sport, inspiring growth from grassroots to elite levels, and showcasing our unique passion for rugby league to the world. And for Papua New Guinea as a nation, it further elevates our global profile, demonstrating our appeal as a destination for world-class investments and partnerships.
“Rugby league is more than just a sport in PNG. It is a way of life, a path to a better future, a social cohesion tool to address other national issues, a platform to bring our people together and most importantly an opportunity to ensure that rugby league and education go hand-in-hand. All these ensure that we are true to our vision of Better People, Better Sport, Better Nation’’.
“We are delighted that Visa will join us on that journey.”
In Papua New Guinea for the announcement was Visa Country Manager for New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, Anthony Watson:
“Visa’s sponsorship of the PNG Kumuls is more than a partnership, it’s a commitment to Papua New Guinea’s future. Rugby league unites communities across the country, and we’re proud to stand with the Kumuls as they inspire pride and progress. With mobile technology rising and a bold national vision for digital inclusion, PNG is poised for transformation and Visa is here to help unlock that potential through the power of digital payments.”

 

[Foreign Legion]

When will we know the name of the club anyone knows?

 

[Wb1234]

3.3 million Kina over 3 years / 1.1 million pa

Converts to 405k Aussie a year

Very good

 

[Wb1234]

Kumul Petroleum renews sponsorship of PNG Kumuls

Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) has announced a three-year renewal of its sponsorship for the Papua New Guinea national men's rugby league team, the PNG LNG Kumuls.

www.postcourier.com.pg

This seems to be a separate deal again for 405k pa

 

[Ideas Man Stephen]

Every club should have to sign two png juniors to their under 16’s Or U 18’s.

clubs are lazy, they’ll maybe pick up some png players out of the png club nrl systems if they look any good but they aren’t going to be trawling the highlands looking for kids.

This is correct. Those of us living outside of the NSW QLD hub know only too well how limited the vision has been of nrl clubs to anything outside of the east coast of Australia. Maybe this club will drag them kicking and screaming into having to try and develop players outside their enclaves (and NZ).

maybe we could take aboriginal children from their families too and bring them up in white families so that they can assimilate better to our culture?

 

[Last Week]

maybe we could take aboriginal children from their families too and bring them up in white families so that they can assimilate better to our culture?

Wow.

 

[Billythekid]

maybe we could take aboriginal children from their families too and bring them up in white families so that they can assimilate better to our culture?

What the f**k is wrong with you?

 

[Perth Red]

maybe we could take aboriginal children from their families too and bring them up in white families so that they can assimilate better to our culture?

someones gone way off the reservation

 

[i0Nic]

I like PNG Angels or something like Highland Hunters. Some playing around with AI..

 

[Pippen94]

I like PNG Angels or something like Highland Hunters. Some playing around with AI..

Ai is pits of the world