Papua New Guinea pushes hard to join Australia's rugby league

Papua New Guinea has been pursuing a bid to enter Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) competition, a move seen as highly significant for the Pacific nation. The prime minister of Papua New Guinea, James Marape, announced recently that their bid is "very strong," highlighting the positive momentum and support behind the proposal. This announcement was made as Papua New Guinea's government anticipates an imminent official declaration regarding their status in relation to the NRL's incorporation of new teams. There is speculation about a financial agreement where Australia may contribute up to AU$600 million over the next decade to support Papua New Guinea's team entry into the league. This proposed collaboration is viewed critically as part of a broader strategy by Australia to strengthen its influence in the Pacific amid increasing competition from China, particularly in terms of diplomatic relations. The potential for Papua New Guinea to join the NRL is not only seen as an opportunity for sports development but also aims to foster national unity within the diverse nation by rallying support for one central team. This initiative is expected to culminate with an official announcement, where details will be revealed in the presence of both the Papua New Guinea and Australian prime ministers. Observers expect that this announcement will set a precedent for international teams in the NRL, as Papua New Guinea would become the second team from outside Australia and New Zealand to compete, following the New Zealand Warriors. The dynamics surrounding this bid reflect ongoing discussions about the role of sport as a cultural and diplomatic tool in the Pacific region.