- Calls for the NRL to be expanded to 20 teams have continued
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has had his say on the issue
- ‘Albo’ wants North Sydney and Newtown to return
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has attracted attention after calling for the North Sydney Bears – and Newtown Jets – to compete in a 20-team NRL competition within the next decade.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys is desperate to see the NRL expand its current 17 teams, with Papua New Guinea widely tipped to land its 18th franchise licence.
PNG’s effort was backed by the Albanian government, which is reportedly ready to help the Pacific country with $600 million in financing in a bid to strengthen international relations and also stave off China’s influence.
Albanese, a lifelong Rabbitohs fan, confirmed in October last year that he is negotiating the next NRL franchise with V’landys.
“I am very much in favor of an 18th NRL team in PNG,” Albanese told News Corp.
‘This is a game changer for the relationship with Papua New Guinea.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has attracted attention after calling for the North Sydney Bears – and Newtown Jets – to be part of a 20-team NRL competition within the next decade.
Albanese grew up in Sydney’s west and admired the Newtown Jets as a youngster
Greg Florimo is a Bears legend and he has worked tirelessly behind the scenes over the years to ensure the club remains relevant
“We absolutely support the NRL bid and, importantly, Prime Minister (James) Murape in PNG is very much behind an NRL team.
‘This is a country that in a few years (2025) will celebrate its fiftieth year of independence.
“With PNG participating in the NRL, I can’t think of a better way to ensure that continued relationship and engagement between our two countries.”
And now, according to the Daily Telegraph, the recently engaged Prime Minister wants both the North Sydney Bears and Newtown Jets back in the NRL.
“It would be great to see the Bears back in the NRL,” Albanese said.
‘My first preference is for a team in Papua New Guinea. It’s obviously a matter for the NRL, but having an expansion team in the Pacific would be very positive for Australia’s national interests.
“Given that the league may go to 20 teams over time, there is potential for teams associated with the Bears to come back.
“I’d also like to see Newtown come back. It would be great to see the Jets back in the big league…they (Newtown and North Sydney) are both great brands.”
Newtown left the ARL premiership after the 1983 season due to financial drama, while the Bears left in 1999.
The subsequent joint venture with Manly as the Northern Eagles was a disaster, with the Bears eventually returning to rugby league as a semi-professional team in the NSW Cup.
In recent years they have also acted as feeder clubs for the likes of South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters.