Now confirmed that PNG will have a team competing in the NRL from 2028. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/ar ... -2028.html

Now confirmed that PNG will have a team competing in the NRL from 2028. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/ar ... -2028.html

Other than hoping it's positive for the PNG National side (which is surely will be), my main thoughts on this are ed around what it will mean for the game here. I'd imagine it will leave us open to more raids on UK based players and it will be more difficult to attract good quality players from the NRL. I'm sure it's the plan anyway but now, more than ever, it will be extremely important that we continue to produce top quality young players. The sides doing that will continue to dominate the sport in this country.

Be interested to know why they need to be located in a secure compound in the capital, is it renowned for trouble or something in PNG.

It's one of the most dangerous countries in the World I believe. I think it would come down to a mixture of security and to avoid the players being mobbed, given how popular the sport is in the country.

Lots of Aussie fans are spitting feathers, but it seems to make sense to me.The Australian govt is prepared to throw money at it, and PNG really is RL-mad. More than any country on Earth. Probably makes more sense than another QLD team or Perth. Sydney to Port Moresby, about 2700 km. Sydney to Perth about 3900 km. Oz is unbelievable big!

Wow! didn't realise that, just thought it was a little island with nice landscapes, I actually thought it was either Jamaica or South Africa which was supposed to be the most dangerous place per head of population, not only rugby news but current affairs as well

There may still be a Perth team, negotiations are ongoing.

Either way, I think, it may or not be a good thing for the NRL (but probably would be), but it's not going to be a good thing for SL; it's just another attraction for players here, especially with big money behind it.

There's huge government-funded investment into player pathways in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji as well.

There is expected to be a Perth and another team entering before PNG do in 2028 as long as negotiations get concluded. Ther are discussions ongoing for a 2nd NZ side, perth and another Queensland side, but only two are expected to be added plus PNG

The PNG club is now scheduled for 2028. A Perth club is still envisaged.

The consequences for SL clubs are obvious in that there will be fewer NRL quality players likely to travel over to the UK play SL.
All clubs, SL and the RFL should be looking at this in the full knowledge of the recruitment ramifications of one or two additional NRL clubs.
Surely now is the time it becomes a requirement for all SL clubs to run scholarship, academy, reserve and first teams. That has to be the way of ensuring the pool of players is sufficient for clubs to have competition for places.
Going forward one would imagine that this will have to be a part of IMG's grading requirements.

The clubs, SL & RFL have time to sort this as there are still three full seasons before The PNG club takes its place in the NRL.