Less than a week out from the AFL grand final,Peter V’landys has responded to suggestions rugby league would soon lose its grip as the No.1 sport in NSW.
The NRL’s expansion road map has taken a turn,with a Perth consortium hoping to leapfrog Papua New Guinea’s bid – and it’s got Nick Politis in its corner.
In a wide-ranging interview,the country’s security minister spoke passionately about the “transformative” impact a team based in Port Moresby would have.
If the bid to establish an NRL franchise in PNG is successful next month,discussions inside Suncorp Stadium’s Chairman’s Room will be remembered for saving it.
The NRL met Pacific Minister Pat Conroy in Brisbane on Friday night to present its financial and logistical needs to launch a team in Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea’s bid to be the NRL’s18th team is quietly chugging along. But recent events in the Asia-Pacific region are likely to see rugby league on the agenda at Parliament House next week.
A decision on NRL expansion is yet to be made,but one bidder considers it a “fait accompli” that Papua New Guinea will be the competition’s next team.
The Dragons forward has decided to play for the Kumuls despite last year appearing to close the door on ever representing PNG,saying he would “feel like a bit of a fraud”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has again reiterated his desire for PNG to become the NRL’s next franchise,and is putting his money where his mouth is.
A sport played predominantly on the Australian eastern seaboard could hold the key to Canberra’s foreign policy in the region,and help keep China at bay in the Pacific.
The federal government has just made its position clear on where the league’s 18th club should be based.