PNG CHIEFS’ ENTRY INTO NRL TO UNITE 1,000 TRIBES AND 800 LANGUAGES

CAPTION: Australian Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy

BY NIGEL MADO

THE Papua New Guinea Chiefs planned entry into the National Rugby League (NRL) in 2028 is an opportunity to unite the country’s diverse population behind one team.

Australian Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy says the club’s entry into the competition will be a significant milestone for both Papua New Guinea and Australia, with the potential to strengthen national identity and pride across PNG.

Speaking during the 32nd Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum in Port Moresby, Mr Conroy highlighted the significance of a national rugby league team representing a country with approximately 1,000 tribes and 800 languages.

He linked the PNG Chiefs project to Prime Minister James Marape’s vision of using rugby league as a unifying force, bringing people from different cultural, linguistic and provincial backgrounds together through their support for one team.