Keeping a keen eye on PNG’s bold league bid
CAIRNS remains a “very interested observer” in a bid by Papua New Guinea to become the 18th franchise holder of the NRL, with mayor Bob Manning declaring the city was ready and waiting to engage in talks.
But Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch queried whether the powers that be in PNG would even want a partnership with another city.
PNG launched its audacious play to enter Australia’s elite rugby league competition earlier this year with the backing of its Prime Minister, James Marape, believing it could field a team by 2030.
Cr Manning has been a vocal supporter of the country’s ambition for a licence, believing their prospects are greatly strengthened by working with Cairns and the rest of the Far North. The city’s international airport, population base and plan to build a new state-of-the-art rectangular stadium are seen as attractive carrots in what could become a joint partnership.
“We know that the (PNG) bid team is working (and) at some point the various matters will need to be discussed with us,” Mr Manning said.
“That is how it should be. It will become public knowledge to some extent and that is when we will engage in a lot of the discussion with them, whatever they might be, and with the government.
“We are very, very interested observers on the sidelines at the moment.”
It comes as the eyes of the NRL world fixed their gaze on Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Sunday for the grand final clash between the Penrith Panthers and Parramatta Eels.
The PNG bid is in partnership with its government and sports foundation, and the PNG Rugby football League (PNGRFL).
Their Queensland Cup side, the PNG Hunters, are central to their push for an NRL team. Their last bid failed in 2009.
Mr Manning said PNG was in a strong position to gain entry into the NRL competition, which will welcome its latest franchise the Dolphins in 2023, to be based in Redcliffe and coached by NRL immortal Wayne Bennett.
“I have no doubt it is the right course of action by all parties,” Cr Manning said.
“But until the bid document is finalised, that will show how far they want to go (in terms of Cairns’ participation).
Mr Entsch said while Cairns could provide support to the PNG bid “if we build a stadium” he questioned whether their powerbrokers would want any form of partnership.
“The reality is they will want them to be based in Port Moresby, it’s as simple as that.
“If we had our own Cairns team here there is no way we would want it in partnership with another country or city.”
He said a national PNG team would, however, strengthen ties with Cairns.
“The Papua New Guinea people are barking mad on rugby,” he said. “In terms of building relationships with PNG, it is a no-brainer.
“We will certainly be able to provide a lot of support, if we build a stadium. They could train or even have some games here.”