Prime Minister Hon. James Marape expressed optimism today following the Prime Minister’s XIII rugby league match between Australia and Papua New Guinea, viewing it as a powerful step forward for the future of rugby league in PNG, particularly with the country’s bid for entry into the NRL competition by 2028.
Speaking after the game, which was attended by Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific Hon. Pat Conroy and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo, Prime Minister Marape emphasised the broader significance of PNG’s NRL ambitions.
“The NRL bid is about rugby league, but even more so, it’s about nation-building. We will use our entry into the NRL to ensure that PNG is marketed all over Australia and the world,” Prime Minister Marape said.
He highlighted the game’s impact on PNG’s image and the strategic partnerships it showcased. “Today’s interface with NRL players, team management, and the presence of Minister Conroy and CEO Abdo showed PNG in a new light. Their presence sends a very positive message.”
The Prime Minister pointed out that the event was a test run for PNG’s capability to host games at an international standard, noting, “Today’s game was a litmus test to see how we could uplift games to an audience in Australia and other parts of the world, and we passed with flying colours, as Foxtel and Channel 9 uplifted the PM’s XIII, women, and junior games. SkyTV in New Zealand also ran it and TVWan across Papua New Guinea.”
He expressed pride in the event’s broadcast reach, adding, “Foxtel has a global audience while Channel 9 focuses on Australia, so Port Moresby was brought to the world stage today. Today’s programme also ran with the clockwork efficiency required of international games.”
As the nation approaches its 50th anniversary of independence in 2025, Prime Minister Marape recognised the support of the Australian government for PNG’s NRL bid
“I thank the Australian government for all the support they have given towards PNG’s NRL bid,” he said.
“We will have three years, from 2025, to create a better Port Moresby and PNG for our NRL entry in 2028. This will also be a huge economic boost for the country, especially in tourism, and I commend Tourism Minister Hon. Belden Namah for his presence today.”
Reflecting on the unity fostered by sports, he concluded, “As I always say, sports unite, and today’s PM’s XIII game between Australia and PNG epitomises that.”