Albanese throws weight behind PNG-based NRL side bid

Jarred Cross Published January 12, 2023 at 3.25pm (AWST)

sport

Anthony Albanese shakes hands with the PNG Orchids in September, 2022. image: Anthony Albanese Facebook

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is backing Papua New Guinea as the home of an 18th NRL's side, pressing on the competition to take a serious look at the island nation's bid for expansion.

On Wednesday the PM told reporters he was "very keen" to see a Pacific Islander side based out of the region and that he has raised it with the league ahead of his visit to the country.

In his historic address to PNG's Parliament on Thursday, the first foreign leader to do so, Mr Albanese discussed a strengthened relationship between the two nations within trade, resources and biosecurity.

Anthony Albanese addresses PNG's Parliament on Jan 12, 2023. image: Anthony Albanese Facebook

He posited rugby league as a topic shared between cultural sensibilities and claimed "sport is such a genuine and powerful way of building strong and lasting ties".

It is a mutual passion recently cultivated with PNG Prime Minister James Marape.

"When Prime Minister Marape and I watched the State of Origin together in Suva last year, he said there are only three days that your country stops. Game one, Game Two, and game three," Mr Albanese said to PNG's Parliament, eliciting a laugh from members.

"That is something I think that a lot of Australians can relate to, and it was great to see so many people getting off the Air New Guinea flights in Brisbane to support the talent of the criminals and the orchids in the Prime Minister's XIII matches.

"Today I affirm my view that I want to see a PNG based team Pacific Islanders competing in the national rugby league competition."

A side encompassing players and resources from Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and Cook Islands together with PNG is being looked at as a possibility.

It comes with growing interest and improved performances from the regions at International level.

The NRL's newest bout of expansion begins this year when the Queensland-based Dolphins, forged out of state competition giants Redcliffe, debut as its 17th team.

Papua New Guinea has similarly held a presence in Australia's second-tier rugby league with the Hunters competing in the Queensland Cup for a decade.