Anthony Albanese’s stunning promise to Papua New Guinea over new NRL team is revealed
- Australia wants to invest $600 million in Papua New Guinea’s NRL team
- Financial pledge for a decade, PNG will likely be NRL’s 18th franchise
- Comes as China’s influence in Port Moresby continues to grow
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reportedly made a stunning financial promise to Papua New Guinea, which is fast cementing its position to become the next NRL franchise.
It can be revealed that Albanese has spoken to PNG colleague James Marape about a reported investment of $600 million over ten years.
Sources said the team would be based in Cairns in far north Queensland, where NRL matches will be held, and in Port Moresby, where China’s influence continues to grow.
Albanese has not yet made any public comments on the funding proposal, but PNG deputy leader John Rosso revealed what is going on behind the scenes.
“Australia has committed to help advance our efforts to have a National Rugby League team in Australia,” he said News Corp.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reportedly made a stunning financial promise to Papua New Guinea, which is growing stronger by the minute to become the next NRL franchise
It can be revealed that Albanese has spoken to PNG counterpart James Marape about investing $600 million over ten years
‘Papunese love rugby league and it would be really good to have a Papuan team in the NRL…Australia supports and works with us to achieve these ambitions.
“There have been discussions between our Prime Minister (James Marape) and the Australian Prime Minister. I think there is a reasonably good collaboration.’
Footy supremo Peter V’landys recently stated that sport is an opportunity for Australia to practice ‘soft diplomacy’ in the Pacific.
“Sport is vastly underestimated in its ability to capture the hearts and minds of people,” the chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission said.
The NRL is littered with players of PNG descent, most notably Rabbitohs try-scoring ace Alex Johnston (pictured)
‘If you can educate the population, there are undoubtedly benefits, and sport is one of the ways you can do that.
“The children[inPNG}refusetogotoschoolbutifyouofferthemsportandcompetitiontheywanttobepartofit
‘They see their idols playing football on TV every week and see the competition at school as a way to achieve that.’
The NRL is littered with players of PNG descent, most notably Rabbitohs try-scoring ace Alex Johnston, Melbourne Storm center Justin Olam and Dragons forward Jack de Belin.