State of Origin stars have backed the inclusion of Papua New Guinea in the NRL premiership as rugby league and government power-brokers set their sights on announcing the addition of a new team as early as July.
The Federal Government is set to inject $600 million into a new NRL team in PNG.
Sources told this masthead that the deal could be finalised before September 14 – the 49th anniversary of PNG independence.
It is also understood there is growing confidence that the PNG team announcement could arrive before then if things fall into place, with mid-July a realistic target.
It is understood the Albanese government has not yet signed a written agreement with the NRL and is unlikely to take the proposal to cabinet in coming weeks.
The NRL and the federal have already agreed on a funding package with almost half of the $600 million to go towards pathways and programs in the Pacific region.
A chunk of the money - upwards of $50 million - would be distributed among the existing clubs to help win their support for a new side while the remainder would be used to prop up a PNG side when they enter the competition, most likely in 2028 to coincide with a new broadcasting deal and the end of Wayne Bennett’s contract at South Sydney.
“We’re aligned on the way forward,” a government spokesperson said.
Speaking at the Maroons open media day on Monday forwards Moe Fotuaika and Jaydn Su’A and Port Moresby-born winger Xavier Coates all felt the PNG team had great merit.
The NRL, concerned that Australian stars may not want to play in PNG due to logistical and safety reasons, are pushing for players to be granted tax free status to go there.
Fotuaika and Su’A said their strong ties to their home regions would make it difficult to move to another country.
“I haven’t really thought about it but I have been there a few times and I didn’t mind it.’’ Su’A said.
“I know everyone will have their own opinions on it but when we got there we were looked after and everything was pretty perfect. I think it would be good for the game. Would I like playing there? I don’t know. I get a bit homesick. I live an hour’s flight from home now so I don’t know if I could move over there.
“As soon as you get to the airport there are hundreds of people. You can see how much it means to them. I think it would be successful if it did happen.’’
“To be honest at the moment, not right now,’’ Fotuaika said.
“I’ve just had a son and the best thing for my son is having my family around. I would like to stay locally on the Gold Coast so my son can grow up with the family. As a concept, it’s really good. I would like to see them bring PNG into the competition. It’s their No. 1 sport in PNG and we’ve seen the PNG Hunters win the Queensland Cup competition, so it shows what talent they have over there.
“I have been over there once and they love their footy. We played a Queensland Cup and they were going crazy, so if they bring an NRL team in, I have no doubt they would be a great addition.’’
Coates played a Test for PNG in 2019. He is in the middle of a long term deal with the Storm which would keep him in Melbourne until 2026.
Coates is sure to be one the team’s prime targets and potential poster boys but the Storm are always a hard club to beat in the contract wars with their consistent finals appearances an appealing drawcard.
Coates does not claim to be an expert on the machinations of running a football club but feels passion could carry the team a long way.
“I am a very proud PNG man and I know how passionate the fans are up there and that they will really get behind the team,’’ Coates said.
“I am no professional so I don’t know all the challenges behind getting a new club up and running and will leave that to the experts.
“I think it would be awesome to see it happen. All my mum’s side of the family still lives up there.
“The support is amazing. It seems everyone in PNG has Facebook. I get a lot of Facebook messages.
“They get in and around me. I definitely feel the love. Their national sport is rugby league. I don’t think any other country in the world has that. If you are out and about there as an NRL player you get swarmed.’’
