ISLAND DREAMING
PNG ready to enter rugby league’s top-tier
PAPUA New Guinea internationals have backed our nearest neighbour’s bid for inclusion in the NRL by the end of the decade.
PNG Sports Minister Wesley Raminai this week launched the bid, described as a project of “national significance”, to join the NRL by 2030.
“Our PNG NRL bid team is ready,” he said. “The time to start the journey is now. We can’t wait any longer.
“This will put PNG on the map in ways never done before. I understand we did try something 12 years ago, but this bid is different.” Two former Kumuls players have thrown their support behind the bid, which would grant the only country in the world that counts rugby league as its national sport entry to the most elite competition. Premiership winning former Raider David Westley and multiQueensland Cup champion Rodney Griffin have both been encouraged.