The security situation in PNG, in particular Port Moresby, has been decreasing substantially since independance. Most foreign nationals live in fortress like gated communities.
It'd be great if PNG could have a side, but this is a matter of decades rather than years before it is feasible.
Exactly. I don't disagree with PNG having a team because of any Sydney-centric or selfish view-point, I just can't see how it could work in the current security situation in Port Moresby. I speak about this having a family member working there and having visited the place myself just two weeks ago. Crime is opportunistic in Port Moresby, rather than organised (although there is an increase in organised crime too) and I don't think it would matter that "they (the players) would be treated like gods". I'm sure on the whole they would be, but as you said - foreign nationals live in gated fortresses with security guards and surrounded by razor wire. Outside the compounds you don't get out of the car unless you know what you're doing. In certain places, you don't even stop the car, even if you've had an accident or killed someone.
They _are_ rugby league mad, and I was lucky enough to be there on Grand Final day and was even pleased to see lots of kids wearing Raiders jumpers (albeit the cheap ripoffs from Brian Bell, but you can't buy the real thing there) and I'd love for them to have their own team, but as you say I can't see it happening within the next decade unless something drastically changes.
