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.
The Prime Minister is pushing rugby league’s cause in the Pacific region as government investment opens up the prospect of history-making tournaments.
Justin Olam has warned that Papua New Guinea is not ready for NRL expansion,despite a push for the country to be the location for the league’s 18th franchise.
In the closest game of the tournament so far,the scores were locked at 18-18 with two minutes to go when Keaon Koloamatangi bagged a frantic,match-winning try for Tonga.
Isabelle Kelly,Joey Manu,Josh Schuster,Justin Olam and Nathan Cleary all starred for their sides in an action-packed weekend.
The Roosters playmaker drew parallels to his famous father with a match-winning performance for the Kumuls over the Bati,who unearthed a star of their own.
The Dragons forward still has ambitions to play for Australia and admits he would feel uncomfortable turning out for the Kumuls at the end-of-season World Cup.
Australia may not be able to match China’s influence through infrastructure investment or granting loans,but we can build deep bonds with PNG through its shared passion for a game:rugby league.