The federal government and the NRL are closing in on a deal worth up to $600 million to secure a new NRL side based in Papua New Guinea.
NRL chairman Peter V’landys met with Minister for the Pacific Pat Conroy on the sidelines of the NRL’s Magic Round in Brisbane late last week to discuss the deal.
Mr Conroy said the government and NRL were “aligned on a way forward” for the expansion club.
The government has been very public in its strong support for a PNG NRL side, despite the substantial complexities involved in launching and maintaining a side in Port Moresby.
It is understood a potential deal to launch the club could be worth $600 million in federal funding over 10 years.
That funding would go beyond just the NRL club, but into community outreach programs supported by the new club too.
Rugby league is considered to be a crucial cultural tie between Australia and Papua New Guinea, and “sports diplomacy” has taken on new importance as China seeks to draw closer to PNG and other Pacific countries.
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