Papua New Guinea will be joining the National Rugby League with its very own team, thanks to a new deal struck by both governments. So on behalf of one NRL-loving girlie, welcome!!!!
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, PNG Prime Minister James Marape and NRL big dog Peter V’landys announced the agreement from Sydney on Thursday morning.
“Rugby league is the national sport of Papua New Guinea and PNG deserves a national team,” Albanese said, noting that it was a “great day” for both countries.
“Australia and PNG are the nearest of neighbours and we are the truest of friends,” Albanese continued.
“We are bound by a history of shared sacrifice and a common commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pacific. And we are united of course by a love of rugby league. That’s why I’m delighted to announce the Australian government is supporting a PNG team to join the NRL competition from 2028.”
The PNG team will be joining the NRL in 2028 as part of the $600 million AUD Pacific Rugby League Partnership. The team will be based in Port Moresby, the capital of PNG and the government has agreed to build accommodation and provide tax-free benefits to lure players to the capital in a move that the country leaders believe will help stimulate the PNG economy.
“I know it will have millions, literally, of proud fans barracking for it from day one,” Albo exclaimed.
Along with the new NRL team, the deal will also see PNG sign a separate “strategic trust” agreement, which will see Australia become PNG’s main security partner. Although the ins and outs of the deal are confidential, Albo confirmed that this agreement was initially signed over a year ago in Canberra.
However, according to the ABC, the deal contains clauses that allow the Australian Government to terminate the agreement if PNG makes a pact with China, or other rival nations, over the next ten years. If that occurs, the NRL is reportedly required to terminate the agreement altogether.
The new PNG team is yet to receive a name or a jersey but I can’t wait to see what they go with. May I suggest the Dugongs? It is the national animal of Papua New Guinea and I just love that those guys go around eating seaweed and hanging out.
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