Papua New Guinea in the NRL? Here's how it could happen | Wide World of Sports

[@johny-j2k]

You got to respect the top dogs of the NRL meeting with the media and addressing tough questions. Our politicians could learn a thing or two from this!

[@FF280O]

I went to New Zealand for a week while State Of Origin was on, what is the deal with no free to air footy in NZ? You want to grow the game, you can not grow it with pay TV, that needs to change now!

[@CommissionerManu]

Exactly, free to air is key to building a base! Rugby league dominates union harder than it ever has before in Melbourne because they broadcast all the channel 9 free to air games down here now, it’s unreal the difference it has made. Kids need to study the best to become the best as well, and access to watching the game is the best advertisement for the game. don’t fall behind pay TV and go the way of union, soccer and cricket, tumbling into irrelevance. Pay TV is the end for so much accessibility. The reason NRL and AFL dominate in Australia is the free and easy access over anything else

[@Br0wnCh3]

It’s risky but I get it. PNG could become the next India/cricket. More revenue is never a bad thing. I think it would be a great challenge for players and clubs.

[@wallywallysplace209]

Png is a great idea! Its their national sport, why not enter them in, there heaps of talented players up there

[@thomasrodwell563]

@wallywallysplace209 It's a nice idea but you cant have a proper fanbase because no players will want to live in PNG. It's one of the most dangerous countries in the world.

[@tjdaniel4941]

If the PNG wanted to join the nrl then the only option is, they need to be based in Australia and that's will their home ground. More safer than going to Png.. There is so many troubles going on in Png at the moment and it not save for the nrl players..

[@wyattfamily8997]

At a cost of $600 Million to Australian taxpayers??? come on!.

​@@wyattfamily8997That's not much for Australia. We have given billions to Papua New Guinea in aid. This will give Papua New Guinea hope to build a better country and achieve equality with Australia and New Zealand. Australia was able to beat England at Rugby and Cricket long before we were able to compete with them economically.

[@craigpilgrim5793]

The PNG "Headhunters" coach's last words before they leave the sheds: "Remember lads, they can't run without heads".

[@omma4]

PNG is an insane idea.

[@geoffreymori5959]

Why?

[@richardwhite2730]

Have you ever been to PNG? I doubt it, because if you had. You never say that.

[@clutch7548]

@@richardwhite2730crime and poverty is a big problem there. Its a fact

[@richardwhite2730]

@@clutch7548 true, but also advantages. A team like Perth has a big disadvantages too, very small amount of juniors Most players would most likely want more money to relocate away from famiy and friends and they will not have the tax incentives that will be available for PNG based players.

[@MickSchwager-gu5wp]

​@@richardwhite2730 Papua New Guinea wasn't there a massacre a few months ago, many criminal gangs and cannibals I don't think that you would travel to The villages and all that stuff, you would get killed otherwise

[@kirk.will.travel]

PNG is the only country in the world I’ve visited where everyone wears a rugby league shirt. Please, make this happen.

[@madeinpng]

We have a lot of problems in png. If the Australian government wants to help, please help in other areas such as healthcare, education, and security (law n order is a big big problem in my country).

[@BBDA-CLEAR]

I don't think that PNG is ready for a team just yet..... and the reason why is because the streets are filled with violence. Perth WA should be first in the queue.

[@Palmwhat]

Have you been following rugby league or just putting your 2 cents worth in perth is coming in 2027 champ so calm down

[@BBDA-CLEAR]

@@Palmwhat I know Perth is next in the queue... You muppet ! Very derogatory to put someone on the champ... Capiche !

[@chillmotionmp3]

Rugby is the only sport that brings unity in PNG... not violence...

[@Palmwhat]

@@BBDA-CLEAR your comment would suggest otherwise champ

[@BlakeGusawe]

Corruption is chronic in PNG. Living standards are so low against comparable standards in the 3rd world. NRL is a strategy to get more and more people in PNG to be more focused on NRL and less and less concerned about other issues affecting the country. Like I always said, the more PNG become corrupt, the more Australia profit.

That's a load of crap. Australia has given billions supporting PNG. What you are saying is that Australia becoming self-sufficient didn't help the UK and they would of been better off if they didn't help Australia build an army and navy that stood up to Japan after the UK was defeated in Asia. You are the one who wants to keep PNG open to Chinese influence. Australia wants to build a country that is self-sufficient.

[@dizzystj]

This has nothing to do with footy but everything to do with keeping on the good side of png and keeping China out.

[@markmacmurray9140]

So true

[@clutch7548]

Hahahaha because having a footy team is the same as a military presence? Nonsense

[@jyeexa]

@@clutch7548no I think it’s because our nrl competition is under the Australian government whom have close ties with NATO and knowing the Americans they would jump at the chance at fighting China if the Chinese were to come and do sum dumb stuff in png.

[@MickSchwager-gu5wp]

​@@clutch7548we're helping build their infrastructure, because China is offering to do the same thing just like they've done all the way through Asia FACTS

[@redson425]

Not a bad idea actually.

[@terencemark5410]

Socioeconomic, security, geopolitical , financial reasons however valid aside…..It’s GREAT for our game! Thank you visionaries- NRL CEO’s Mr, V’landys & Abdo including PM Hon. Albanese! Looking forward to 2028 PNG NRL BID!

[@Arnoldismygod]

Lol at comparing PNG with India. A comparison with Somalia or Haiti would be more apt

[@clutch7548]

Not about population. Its the fact cricket became India’s national sport. Which footy is in PNG

[@johnsontia7184]

Your mom would probs india for the 3 as well

[@RichardSamuel-d4b]

@@clutch7548 Exactly

[@damowantswealth]

So from what I've learnt about soft power; if we want more developing nations to try to be democratic and match our values of capitalism we need to give them money to develop infrastructure etc. Because china is doing that and Australia is try to build allies in asia to work with us before China does. I'm not saying I agree with it but that seems to be what it is

[@wilkie1011]

The competition is already very diluted for players and coaches at the moment. The gap between the top teams and the bottom is already so big. How will that improve with even more teams?

[@BrettGrady-vf4kx]

Are you on drugs? The gap between top and bottom teams reduced massively from 3 to 4 years ago.

[@jvvoid]

The gap between top and bottom is less and next year even closer.

[@ARandomGuy24]

Bottom 4 years 10 years ago was was way worse than the bottom 4 now it isn't even close. That Parra team would school other teams that have played in a spoon bowl and it wouldn't be close. It would like how much of a blow out the Tigers game was but worse.

[@danch1691]

"19 million people in PNG" Vilandys speaking out of his ass a bit. PNG at most has nearly 11 million people. As someone who grew up in PNG I'm all for a team in PNG. But unless you've lived there, you won't appreciate just how much crime, corruption & lack of development is there. Aust Gov & NRL will have a HUGE job on its hand. Let's face facts, this PNG team is essentially due to geopolitics because of ever encroaching & aggressive behaviour of one particular country in Asia pacific. But good luck to NRL & Aust Gov with this massive & ambitious endeavour

[@Charitytube1]

Same as in South Africa for rugby though. I can only agree as you’ve lived there but like you said the jobs that are created and also their nation sport beings played with have a massive affect on their youth hoping they look for other alternatives than crime. Though fingers crossed and hope it goes well

[@daleireland]

You’re allowed to say China mate. Or are you on the take as well 🤣

[@Charitytube1]

@@daleireland I’m lost as lol might be your Irish slang lol what you mean? lol

[@daleireland]

@@Charitytube1 I was replying to danch1691’s comment. I’m not Irish. Aussie brother.

[@Charitytube1]

@@daleireland Arghh my bad, just dale Ireland made me think that 👌

[@simonjames772]

Thank you Andrew but i would only like to hear from Peter

[@simonjames772]

the journo looking at Peter like he isn’t the best businessman this game has seen 😂

[@gamukeguyrakaraka13]

Fiji inserted Druas in Rugby Union without Issues; Forget PNG NRL bid but give another option in NSWRL Cup like QRL did to PNG Hunters...

[@AJ-tv3iv]

Can we get a team in Perth and Adelaide

[@alexbeckman5152]

Perth bears come in 2027

[@glennparkinson6878]

Adelaide Rams. Didn't work.

[@debo3544]

Adelaide ram

[@kinchegayowie6167]

@@glennparkinson6878 they did work, we didn't have the right competition , for them to come back from injuries and loss of form, they had to fly to the east Coast to play, still the same story today, if they pumped the money , then we would have a true National Rugby league competition ,living on the East Coast, you are spoilt for and with the game

[@matis9118]

@@glennparkinson6878in the same vein of this comment neither did a second Brisbane team, yet we have a second Brisbane team now and it appears to be a success.

[@darkstars-torpedoes-of-truth]

Relocate Cronulla to PNG, they'll get much bigger crowds.

[@B-tr9kz]

Send them to Adelaide

[@TwelveDeck]

🤬

[@TwelveDeck]

Dumbest idea I've ever heard.

[@darkstars-torpedoes-of-truth]

@@TwelveDeck They will get bigger crowds

[@kinchegayowie6167]

@@B-tr9kz its hardly a punishment mate, ask Kerrod Walters what his experience was, we had the best friday night numbers over the whole league, and the first game , 28,750 people turned up and averaged 17,500 at Hindmarsh

[@xpsylentzer_8039]

if i were a player i’d still live in Aussie and fly to png for games 😂

[@glennparkinson6878]

What about training?

[@The_pleZy_Podcast]

But you’re not so suck it up

[@kinchegayowie6167]

@@The_pleZy_Podcast 🤣

[@clutch7548]

@@The_pleZy_PodcastAre you angry because your youtube channel is a joke?

[@baccycones7644]

You got no clue mate, png is beautiful with amazing people

[@lynettemahoney1710]

If Australians can’t afford pay TV how the hell are they going to afford it in PNG.Besides their is not enough talent around for expansion.Parents can’t afford to pay for their children to play in Australia.Wake up to yourselfs.

[@JayAwa]

We already pay for it here to be able to watch the NRL. Most of our top tier talent is the Super League. Last I checked Super League is 2-0 vs NRL in the World Club Challenge. PNG parents already send their kids to Australian high schools and universities. We can afford it. The difference between us & Australia is our culture. Parents don't individual pay to send their kids overseas for education. The entire clan/tribe chips in to assist. Add rugby league into that and yes clans/tribes would be more than happy to chip in to send a kid over for a Rugby scholarship.

[@lynettemahoney1710]

@@JayAwa You obviously are one of the lucky ones,but how man can’t afford to pay?The majority of people in PNG can’t afford to pay.THE MAJORITY

[@mmoiya]

​@@JayAwagood one talk to these civilized people in Mars they've never been to planet earth 😅

[@JayAwa]

@lynettemahoney1710 NRL plans here are cheaper than you may think. It's only about $10 for a weekend NRL pass. If PNGeans can pay $100 - $200 for genuine NRL jerseys from Australia, $10 isn't much. The large majority of PNGeans dont live in poverty as the media may portray.

[@kolgkama4202]

Our prices are affordable, unlike you guys​@lynettemahoney1710

[@Kukutu1999]

I as a Papua New Guinean and a fan of the sport think this is a bad idea. For starters this push for a png team in the nrl is purely political and not for the growth of the sport in png. 1.There is zero to non existent pathways for developing talent even though the country is rich with talent. 2. The infrastructure to support such a team is zero to non existent. The stadiums we have are mediocre at best no proper dressing rooms, training facilities etc… not to mention a lack of seating, parking how will this team generate attendance revenue? 3. The capital city port Moresby’s crime is rampant, how can we grantee player safety, when our own securities are underpaid, understaffed and unequipped. 4. The majority of not all of the funds required for this team will come from Australian taxpayers, wait is this a png team or an Australian team? Why do we want our own team being payed for by someone else. 5. On the topic of taxpayers money I can guarantee that some or most of it will get pocketed along the way, meaning this team won’t be worth the money put in nor its infrastructure. I could go on there is so much wrong with this idea please cancel it.

[@porourangi10]

Its not about Money its about safety…. PNG just isn’t safe enough for people to move their families there

[@kevinyowait2463]

But have you ever traveled & lived in PNG for a month, at least? If you experienced it, then you'd know from experience. 😊

[@jtamou]

​@@kevinyowait2463Stop lying to yourself. PNG is not safe. January 10th a prime example. Inap lo kusai😂

[@jackohere1878]

@@kevinyowait2463 Com'on you don't have to spent a winter in Alaska to know it is bitterly cold there. Seriously who would want to live in PNG ? It is a very poor impoverished country with corruption rife.Unless your a local your seen as fair game as a target for violent lawless folk of which there are many and in a way who can blame them as desperate folk do desperate things..This is common knowledge just ask those who have lived there for work etc = please get a grip. What NRL player will want to move his or her family there ?

[@jaigundo8859]

I agree I'm from PNG

[@Dragon-hm4pq]

You are not wrong. PVL and Albo want a PNG team and want players to go there. Yet the Australian Government's very own 'Smart Traveller' tells people to "exercise a high degree of caution" in PNG.

[@martingoodef811]

At a time when the issue of concussions has not been addressed they’re seeking expansion. Deal with policing existing rules to protect our players and maybe introducing compulsory headgear then move towards building a reserve pool of players

[@johnbeattie3610]

V’landys talks about misinformation and in his next comment says there are 18M people in PNG - when there are actually 10.5M people! Keeping the debate honest? I think this is actually about the NRL getting quid pro quo regulatory protection from the Australian Government on gambling, which for V’landys is a twofer as it would also protect the racing industry where he moonlights

[@kinchegayowie6167]

playing behind razor wire, not a good look either,

[@JGudio]

If scientists could find a way to generate electricity from V'landys' spin we could power Australia for the next 100 years.

[@flaminjamin]

A UN study in 2022 found the official population count was way under, and the actual population was around 17 million. It would likely be 18 million today

[@jedmars2691]

​@@flaminjamin census would create accurate numbers. Not a study.

[@FF280O]

I went to New Zealand for a week while State Of Origin was on, what is the deal with no free to air footy in NZ? You want to grow the game, you can not grow it with pay TV, that needs to change now! Not just in NZ, you need it everywhere that we try to have a team from in the World Cup. Then initiate pathways there and eventually a team there, it’s not that hard

[@paulakula5121]

League is a dying sport in nz. Rugby is slowly following this trend.

[@Cap10Yenz]

Bring back Adelaide Rams!

[@tonymarsh8436]

One thing about Port Moresby, it's only a short trip to Darwin. A base for the players and coaching staffs families? The players and staff stay in Port Moresby, the families stay in Darwin. Players and staff could spend 2-3 days a week with family, the other 4 FIFO work days. Just a thought

[@daleireland]

I think you mean Cairns mate? 1.5hr flight from Cairns to Moresby 5.5hr flight from Darwin to Moresby

[@sherk-1234]

also thats a bad idea as the players will get tried traveling all the time.

[@daleireland]

@@sherk-1234 1.5hr flight from cairns a few times a week? Really? Prima Donna’s if that’s the case. Lots of people drive that to work everyday.

[@sherk-1234]

@@daleireland now thinking about i now understand as when i was little i lived in a small town and that was how long it took me to get to a town to play footy but still PNG is a horrible idea .

[@daleireland]

@@sherk-1234 yeah I get it. I see it both ways. I’m on the fence.

[@bryanmathieson2036]

every league player from all senior grades should have been asked would they move to papua to live and play.then you would get more perspective

[@davidrich4791]

Federal government involved in a foreign team playing in National competition, I smell a rat

[@Dragon-hm4pq]

New cold war games. The NRL should not be entangled with the Federal Government to form a new team.

[@andrewturner5449]

Going to France is a far better bet,there union club rugby is insane,the crowds are different level.Dual code is the future.

[@PeshPeterWKati-bh1pj]

Geopolitically PNG holds key for for countries like NZ & Australia. When you divert $600 million into a cause that NOT all Papua New Guineans will benefit, always remember, Australia is tightening it's security system in the Pacific.

[@malicktjmatiabeyuwi7587]

PNG has over 25 million plus so you all still questioning much as though PNG learned to Play Rugby Yesterday. It's common sense for both PNG and Aussie to do business with NRL team based in PNG which would be beneficial for both parties so it win win opportunity.

[@guyfaux3978]

A team that trains and lives in Cairns and flies in to PNG for "home" games MIGHT happen, but you'd need to hold at least ONE game in Cairns. This is not so different to what AFL does with Tazzie, ACT and NT.

[@sherk-1234]

PNG is a horrible idea it has problems and the players are going to live in a compound no player is going to like that and we want the NRL to be a bit national instead of all the teams on the east cost and if they get a bunch of locals to play for them the west tigers wont be the wooden spooners any more . also we want 16 teams in the world cup.

[@BobbyLowedesign]

Did James Bracey get a spray tan??

[@BrettGrady-vf4kx]

Yes he did. Looks great. You know you would.

[@mikethebreeze]

26 years and Victoria hasn't produced 1 junior, these blokes don't care about our game, its just a business these days, just another club taking qld and nz kids

[@goodboydaz]

Theres been like 10-15 players that came thru the Victorian system what are you on about haha

[@marabodi1537]

Tonomapea, Faalongo, Fonuha heaps more coming through

[@MickSchwager-gu5wp]

​@@marabodi1537 heaps 😂 26 years mate 😂

[@BrettGrady-vf4kx]

No juniors??? Don't lie!! And PNG is full of committed, talented RL players!

[@DoggyZworlD07]

​@@goodboydazWho's Storm feeder club in vic?????

[@Curtin-mf3xy]

The tax break thing is the way to go. Basically doubles your pay, which is what will be needed to lure people to an unstable place with not much to do

[@essaulongobut7202]

Good sharing of ideas friends in Rugby league

[@glennparkinson6878]

20 teams didn't work back in the early 2000's why now?

[@AndrewinAus]

Much bigger potential audience, circa 2000 Australia's population was 19million

[@clutch7548]

Social media is massive to engage with young people, including pacific islanders

[@danielryan4352]

There wasn't 20 teams in the early 2000s though

[@glennparkinson6878]

@danielryan4352 Western Reds, Auckland Warriors, North Queensland Cowboys, and South Queensland Crushers.

[@AndrewinAus]

@@danielryan4352 No but there was in the late 1990's before the culling.

[@johnanthonycafe2993]

I would love to see the NRL being a catalyst for cohesion in PNG but the people have to meet the program half way. No point in just giving them money.

[@Mr83rt]

Why not try for a new Queensland team? I get the die hard broncos fans would get their nose out of joint but it'd make it so much easier to have 2 comps which ultimately will end up happening with all these teams joining

[@clutch7548]

2 comps sounds awful

[@davidduffin1580]

Oh. So Vlandys, are you now saying Aussie tax payers have to foot the bill to bring a foreign country into our sporting arenas? Wonderful..Another Vlandys screw job.

[@AndyMahnn]

PNG Hunters is working well winning a premiership in 2017 and losing in semi finals in 2024. I dont see why a team in NRL wont work.

[@PaulSmeed]

In Peter We Trust

[@MrDredd1966]

The Feds better not give the NRL 600 million for the PNG expansion side in the NRL.. Every other code of sport in Australia would be up in arms against the NRL and the federal government for this massive hand out to the NRL!!

[@gungi4764]

Nice vid

[@mritsme9901]

Western Bears? Just give WA their own team.

[@jvvoid]

After reading through the comments I want to say to all the doubters "who cares if a PNG team doesn't work??" Who cares?? Is it going to cost you anything personally?? Are you and your family going to be put out somehow?? This is the problem with the huge chunk of our population that always wants to bag somethng they're not sure about. If you're not involved, and your not informed, then let it go, which is 99.9 % of you. Get informed and then you're opinion matters. If this thing works, great. Otherwise, who cares?? We'll move on. Bunch of whingeing cry babies.

[@lukerichardson6084]

Probably the Perth, Adelaide and bears fanbases who have been waiting for a team longer than png have

[@_peepyopee]

Would rather see that 600m going into Rugby Uniom

[@shielsy1]

Would Pvl or Abdo move to PNG with their families for a ‘tax break’?

[@Endeavour02]

Think this guy is snorting the devil’s dandruff

[@MERCURYSUNSET]

The NRL is in no position to be "picking up or raising up " other countries . Are these 2 joking or what ? League has been battling Aussie Rules for decades and can't even manage to climb over their code and the NRL are talking about "helping " other countries .

[@kennethlalo411]

2:53 True. The potential is there. One could argue, there's more people watching NRL in PNG than in Aussie. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@BJMStan]

Grade A coupon clippers

[@GEORGIEvsALL]

Take a team to PNG to help their youth? What about starting teams in every state in our own country & help our own?

[@mritsme9901]

India cricket analogy is a poor one. If you need 3 more teams - Perth, another QLD team, another NZ team. Easy.

[@BornJune1984]

Its not going to happen

[@malcolmsiparagigibson2588]

This one is for those Australians that are complaining about the Aussie $600M tax payer money!! Let me clarify; 600 million Aussie dollar is peanuts compared to the billions the big Aussie companies in PNG take out from PNG year in - year out from the Mining industries & other resources in PNG dating back to even before PNG got its Independence & still do today. Some of the streets & roads in Australia are build from the money that came out from the copper & gold mines in PNG. You sit there talk about Tax and complain about it but if you know the real story & history, you'll understand that PNG deserves more attention from its neighbour (Australia). For so long Aussie has turned a blind eye on PNG and I think it's about time they (Aussie) pay more attention to its closest friend & neighbour. PNG don't only share bilateral relationship with Australia but goes way back to world war times were they fought and bled together. By saying that, Aussie should continue it's involvement in the PNG Military as well as other similar sectors. Supply war equipments & train the Army in PNG to a world class standard & prepare them. You never know what's gonna happen in the future. If it happens that Aussie does enter a war, PNG will support in. The same is being done to Philippines military by the USA. Why not do the same with your closest neighbour & friend. This will then chase away Chinese influences & others. There's more to be done & accomplished together as friends & neighbours.✌🤝

[@thedudebro168]

Gotta up that gaming revenue hey Vlandys. This absolute grub of a human is the worst thing to happen to the NRL. All hes done is sell the game to the bookies and allowed the insurers to write the rules.

[@redson425]

New home for the tigers.

[@geoffreyrose1620]

It won't work , keep the game in Australia

[@djgrant8761]

What happens if there is a change in government and the new government scraps this idea?

[@sweetnsourlemons585]

Sounds very suspicious. Seems as though there is a lot of money on offer to someones table....

[@unluckytourist]

There are likely more subscribers in Hobart than PNG 😂

[@immabry1006]

I'm reading a lot of comments and seems Australians though so close to PNG know very little or next to nothing at all about the country or it's people. Such a shame I say. More papua new guineans play rugby league in England (super league) than Australia (NRL).

[@genamoiga9164]

The only thing that is going to make PNG Bid successful is MONEY 💰😂

[@samvitale1289]

All these comments I’m reading on here are really small minded idiots, do you not see what there trying to do ? Do you not see the future, there trying to expand NRL world wide, rugby union is still above NRL INTERNATIONAL, the Australian rugby is dead right now and the NRL don’t want to go down like they have. NRL have the money that rugby does not.

[@MLF-kq8ut]

Rugby is way, way, way above League internationally. Having a team in PNG is going to do absolutely nothing to change that. France just bailed on the RLWC only a year after the Rugby World Cup in France sold out every game in massive stadiums and brought in tourists from all around the globe. Meanwhile the Rugby League World Cup in the UK a few years back could only muster a few thousand in the League heartland of Huddersfield. Even that Vegas game was just packed with Australians taking their Australian dollars to Vegas and a handful of Yanks who got free tickets. Meanwhile the All Blacks have been packing out American stadiums with paying American crowds for years.

[@goodboydaz]

You know it has nothing to do with growing the game right? Its purely a political move to sway PNG Australias way instead of China lol.

[@clutch7548]

@@goodboydazBecause a random moron said it on the internet? The idea you think having a footy team in PNG would actually have a powerful effect on China relations/ power is embarrassing An absolute drop of water in the ocean it would be

[@pauaikuvalu4271]

​@@MLF-kq8ut that is the truth

[@samvitale1289]

@@MLF-kq8ut I agree with everything u said, what I’m referring to is rugby in Australia is dead, because I grew up playing reps and all back in my day rugby was massive and everyone wanted to play the sport, I moved over to league and they had path ways that union did not in Australia rugby. Rugby nowadays in Australia is dead not world wide cause internationally it’s a world wide sport. Which will always be bigger than RUGBY LEAGUE. PNG there are 10.5 million people and having A PNG join the NRL comp would be massive. What I’m trying to say is they need to start thinking outside the box, they to think about having a competition like the super rugby where it was once Australia, New Zealand and South Africa club teams all in one comp. But that would never happen but they should if they want to make the sport popular. It’s only popular in Australia New Zealand and England.

[@FreddyJong-co6cb]

Once you have asian you don't want to go back to Caucasian 🇦🇺 💯 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Johnnybravo99444]

Top 9

[@zohanstu6821]

I bet they have been given a nice sum of money to sell this 🤨

[@chrismaika9122]

It is a dumb idea, better off 2nd NZ team or a PI team...

[@ronaldnona6749]

Common sense it’s all about the dollar 👍🏽🤠

[@ishmaellee]

Anything that is related to Rugby League, they are gods. Cos rugby league is a religion in PNG. Safety couldn't be an agenda. Come for yourself and see.

[@MidnightPursuit]

Dumb idea you may as well try and start a team in Baghdad

[@goodboydaz]

PNG is a 3rd world country riddled with crime. Not even 1% of their population live ABOVE the poverty line. Purely political. If they did want to throw money to PNG, at least introduce another PNG side in the Q Cup and have a Jersey Flegg and SG Ball team.

[@Mercury1312]

Did you know that 60% of PNG live in rural areas, these rural communities have been farming for thousands of years and don't really need money. From the 40% that live in urban areas, about 70% experience poverty. So its not less than 1%, you must be brainwashed by your media.

[@heyguyswhatshappening6210]

What happens if there is a change of government here in Australia? Australian taxpayers are funding a rugby team from another country and why so the Australian government can stick it to the Chinese?

[@kobagames420]

Fix the refs and bunker b4 u add more teams

[@mritsme9901]

Use rugby league to change people’s lives?!? Please… Albo could spend that money wisely in Australia. Or pay off some debt. Bugger PNG.

[@Dragon-hm4pq]

A PNG team is not a good idea. Give up on it PVL. The NRL should not be colluding with Albo to play new Cold War games.

[@floodwaters8887]

PNG but base them in QLD, star players won’t want to live in PNG, country is unsafe.

[@mmoiya]

All those negativity around PNG problems obviously tells alot about people who apprears to live in Mars and don't know planet earth. So called first world yet barely uncivilized to check out the truth about their closet neighbor. PNG will get into NRL regardless of your cheap talks and opinions.

[@Kukutu1999]

Check your grammar and spelling there big boy and while your at it watch the news all your countries problems are on abc

[@christov4202]

Talk about keep politics out of sport....

[@DoggyZworlD07]

Less footy??? I love league, but can we stop with the footy players are tougher than football players. Those guy's play anywhere up to 3 90 mins games, and footy players are bitchin abt playing each other twice in the season let alone in a week like footbal players do lol. League fittest wouldn't be able to keep up with an a league player LoL

[@vanuavevao4998]

It's all about money

[@Rickoanderson]

Who pays for this and how much?

[@seantighe5256]

Melbourne storm has been killing it last 20 years but still no local players yet not sure png has the talent.They missed the boat not having a team on the central coast the A league final proved that

[@PhilemonKuma]

Rugby league is the Australian national sport likewise to PNG. PNG have got so potential rugby players most of them are now play in super league.. Some selfish commentors make nonsense comments PNG should be included because rubgy league is dying out so lets come together to expand the rugby league

[@rangipkewa6174]

So much negativity from the Commentators. Why not accept PNG as Australia's closest neighbor and speak some positivity for goodness sake.

[@clutch7548]

Positivity doesnt get the job done. The “negativity” are BIG, REAL issues that have serious question marks & need to be addressed

[@twelve98]

If it was viable why do they need to take 600M from the govt… it’s an insane idea

[@leroy-bacon3119]

It won’t work . Stop destroying our game vlandys .

[@jasonjudkins2056]

Sorry now one wants to live in PNG, especially when our tax payers money being used to fund it, if you want to do a soft diplomacy, build schools or something like the Chinese are funding, but make sure the money doesn’t go to the politicians as it will just be put in their personal coffers, they shouldn’t be in the competition. Should be a team in NZ over PNG

[@shanetharle9211]

Australian taxpayers money of 600 million dollars is going to Fiji, so they create a rugby team, the socialist Labour party loves to distribute our taxpayers money to every third world country ,

[@dennismacpherson7777]

Could work?...... Any better thought gone into this?...... Other than spending tax payers money?

[@Jase1000-p2f]

Acting like the png bid is about changing peoples lives is hilarious ,pete and the spinster .Just say its about china ,really its an insult to all league fans the way these 2 are talking,they think that their answers should satisfy the dummy fans

[@scottwalker2980]

in a time of cost of living crisis here in australia, our govt spends 600 mil on a foreign football team, is shameful, i already hate the new team, its weird its still called the NRL.....since N stands for national

[@MosesPaul-mq5mo]

PNG LOVES RUGBY LEAGUE NOTHING WILL HAPPEN TO PLAYERS AND MANAGEMENT STAFF....THEY WILL PROVE THEM WRONG

[@Royalty-o3p]

Rugby league is dying, soon we will run out of quality players. Only way forward is EXPENSION. PNG expension will save rugby league. Campared to other countries, rugby league is PNGs main sport. If this eventuate, in the next 10years PNG will dominate NRL

[@paulakula5121]

They'll be the next powerhouse. I've watched some of the PNG Hunters games, and their style of footy is right up there.

[@blakedickenson2394]

Even with the tax break, contracts aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on these days. Soon as players leave for PNG, they’ll be trying to break contract left, right and centre as soon as the plane lands. PNG isn’t a safe place, let alone being an NRL player there. I doubt players would wanna risk home invasions and things of that nature with their families.

[@paulakula5121]

PNG does not need imports. They'll develop their own players. They've got the population.

[@paulakula5121]

PNG is well-positioned to develop its own rugby league stars, a prospect that mirrors the debate before the PNG Hunters were granted entry into the Queensland Cup. Over time, their inclusion has undeniably raised the standard of rugby league in the country, especially at the national level with the Kumuls showing marked improvement. This growing rugby culture has become a breeding ground for talent, with players like Justin Olam, Edwin Ipape, and the Albert brothers emerging as prime examples. The nation's rugby system is evolving into a production line of top-tier athletes, further solidifying PNG’s potential to compete on the world stage.

[@garrypeak4277]

PNG being brought into the NRL would be without a doubt the absolute worst decision in Rugby League since the onset of the Super League War. There is zero upside for the game. This is a political move, nothing more.