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A Papua New Guinea team will join Australia’s rugby league NRL in a “diplomatic deal” that will cost taxpayers £301 million.
The deal is understood to be part of an Australian initiative to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific and follows Australian support for Pacific Islands rugby union teams competing in Super Rugby .
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Papua New Guinea counterpart James Marape announced the move on Thursday, calling it “the world’s first sports diplomacy agreement.”
Marape added: “An NRL team for PNG is more than sport – it’s a national unification strategy.
“Through the diversity of our cultures and people, rugby league can bring us together as one nation. At the same time, it strengthens the shared history and people-to-people connections between PNG and Australia.
The deal is expected to cost £301million of taxpayers’ money over 10 years, with the Papua New Guinea team expected to join the NRL by 2028.
An agreement in principle was reached with the NRL in May.
Australia and Papua New Guinea will partner with the Australian Rugby League Commission to help use the sport as an influence in Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Fiji and Samoa.
“A rugby league partnership is a genuine and powerful way to build lasting connections between our people and secure long-term development, social and economic outcomes for PNG and the Pacific,” he said. said Mr. Albanese.
“Our partnership will create new opportunities for women’s and women’s rugby league in PNG and the Pacific, recognizing the power of sporting programs in promoting inclusion and improving gender equality. »
Players will benefit from tax incentives to settle on the island and will live in a secure resort.
Australia and Papua New Guinea will co-host the 2026 Men’s Rugby World Cup.
Albanese added: “Rugby league is the number one sport in the Pacific.
“This new club will cement rugby league’s role as the unifying language of our region. »
