Papua New Guinea Joins NRL in 2028

The Australian Government has announced that a Papua New Guinea (PNG) rugby league team will join the National Rugby League (NRL) competition in 2028, marking a significant moment in sports diplomacy between the two nations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the initiative, costing approximately 600 million Australian dollars over ten years, serves not only as a source of national pride for PNG but also as a strategic move to counteract Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Both leaders emphasized rugby league's potential to unify diverse cultures within PNG and strengthen ties with Australia. The partnership will also focus on increasing participation in rugby league across the Pacific, including initiatives for women's inclusion. Players will be incentivized to relocate to PNG, where they will live in secured accommodations funded by the government. This collaboration aims to create lasting social and economic benefits for PNG and bolster the significance of rugby league in the Pacific region.