NRL 2023: First look into PNG’s expansion bid to become 18th team

The race to become the NRL’s 18th franchise is heating up and one bid team has taken a big step towards winning the battle. Check out the latest development

The team behind Papua New Guinea’s NRL expansion bid (from left) Sandis Tsaka, Stanley Hondina and Andrew Hill at the Manly v Parramatta game at Brookvale. Picture: Jonathan Ng

PNG has ramped up its bid to become the NRL’s latest franchise with a strong contingent from its bid team touring NRL club facilities and engaging in discussions with the federal government.

Sandis Tsaka (PNG Rugby League chairman), Stanley Hondina (chief executive) and ex-Bulldogs boss Andrew Hill (strategic adviser to PNG’s 2025 bid team) toured Penrith and were guests of the Sea Eagles for their clash against Parramatta on Thursday night.

PNG is considered a frontrunner to at the very least headline a Pasifika team when the NRL expands its competition to 18 teams.

The team behind Papua New Guinea’s NRL expansion bid (from left) Sandis Tsaka, Stanley Hondina and Andrew Hill at the Manly v Parramatta game at Brookvale. Picture: Jonathan Ng

There is also a push for a PNG team – linked with either Cairns and North Sydney – to be the preferred next team.

The bid team toured the Panthers as they look to establish their own grassroots development program in Port Moresby.

In-depth discussions with the federal government and NRL officials also occurred last week as the PNG touring party slowly mounts its case for inclusion.

“The two things we wanted to achieve was to continue our dialogue with the Australian government,” Hill said.

“And the primary focus was to look at pathway and development structures because that will underpin all our work. We want to make sure our foundations are right. The first step of the bid team is focusing on 14- to 20-year-olds in PNG.”

Justin Olam is an example of the rugby league talent in Papua New Guinea. Picture: Getty Images)

Panthers boss Matt Cameron opened the doors to their academy on Thursday and ran the touring party through the game’s best development program.

“A good part of our trip was understanding how Penrith develop their junior players both at Penrith and in regional areas. When you look at what we will be doing in PNG and potentially the Pacific Islands, we need to have a regional academy model.

“We decided to look at the benchmark in the NRL. Manly extended an opportunity for us to attend their game as part of multicultural round. We also took a look at their new facilities at Brookvale.”

PNG is setting itself up to be able to push for inclusion should the NRL expand in 2026 or 2027.

It has strong backing from the Australian and PNG governments.

“The PNG government have recently made strong financial commitments to the bid,” Hill said.

Barlow Park in Cairns could be the base of an NRL expansion team from the Pasifika. Picture: NRL Images.

“We are really focused on establishing the right administrative and governance models. At the moment, the chairman and the board are really focused on establishing the right administrative and governance models.

“We’re focusing on player pathways and not turning our attention to older ages until we ensure we’ve got a really strong viable pathway programs, so in two or three years we are producing the next Justin Olam (left).”

PNG 2025 bid chairman Wapu Sonk said the focus was on setting up elite coaching and player development programs.

“The Penrith model has significant interest to our bid with heir academy model, running the stadium and other business ventures which are central to the community,” Sonk said.

“We are focused on ensuring we understand the full potential of running a successful NRL club.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: First look into PNG’s expansion bid to become 18th team