Shortlist of team names
Chiefs for me
Then angels
Shortlist for PNG’s NRL expansion team’s nickname revealed
PNG Prime Minister James Marape is closing in on a nickname for the NRL’s expansion team, with a potential shortlist of four contenders revealed. See the list and HAVE YOUR SAY in our poll.
Peter Badel
and
Travis Meyn
9 min read
October 2, 2025 - 4:00PM
News Sport Network
NRL: Justin Hodges says Ben Hunt should never have been in the position where he dropped the ball in the infamous 2015 Grand Final.
The competition to find a nickname for the NRL’s 19th team in Papua New Guinea in 2028 is heating up.
Sport Confidential can reveal PNG Prime Minister James Marape is mulling over at least four names for the new PNG team – the Pythons, Chiefs, Angels and Crocodiles.
There was a push for the new Pacific franchise to be called the Angels – a nod to the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels locals who helped Australian soldiers during World War II.
But it’s understood Marape is not convinced about the Angels name and is exploring other options.
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape speaks during a press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Sydney on December 12, 2024. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape speaks during a press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Sydney on December 12, 2024. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)
The local PNG people have been asked to suggest nicknames for the new team and another strong contender is the Chiefs.
The Kansas City Chiefs are a popular brand in American football, while the Pythons has a nice touch of alliteration.
