NRL expansion news: Jason Taumalolo, Josh Papalii keen to launch Pasifika side as 18th team

Two of the NRL’s biggest names have put their hands up to headline a potential new Pasifika franchise, with a host of other targets looming. Find out who.

Potential Pasifika NRL expansion targets.

They helped revive international rugby league now some of the game’s heavyweights including Josh Papalii and Jason Taumalolo have put their hands up to be part of the NRL’s inaugural Pasifika team.

The push for the NRL to make either PNG or a combined PNG/Pasifika the 18th team continues to gain momentum.

Now some of most influential players in the game have shown an interest in joining the new side. Taumalolo made headlines in 2017 when he opted out of playing for the Kiwis and play for Tonga which sparked an international resurgence.

Jason Taumalolo has put his hand up to be part of a potential Pasifika NRL team. Picture: Getty

Papalii followed suit last year when he picked to play for Samoa instead of Australia at the World Cup.

Now Papalii has become the first high profile player to publicly back the Pasifika’s bid for inclusion in the NRL. With plans afoot for the NRL to expand by 2026, Papalii is eyeing a rugby league swan song.

He has a deal with Canberra until the end of 2025 provided both parties pick up and a final year option meaning he will turn 34 in 2026.

“Bloody oath I would be keen,” Papalii told News Corp. “In saying that I’ll be 34-35 years old so they probably wouldn’t need me.

“But it would be massive for the Pasifika nations.”

Josh Aloiai (R) could be another target of the proposed 18th NRL team. Picture: Getty

Taumalolo’s monster 10-year contract with the Cowboys does not expire until 2027. He will be 34 when his current deal ends.

Taumalolo’s manager Chris Orr, who brokered the Cowboys’ co-captain’s historic 10-year contract in 2017, confirmed the Tongan torpedo’s interest in helping a Pasifika NRL team.

“I think a Pasifika team will generate plenty of interest,” said PSM director Orr.

“Players like Jase, who switched his representative allegiance to Tonga to build the game in the Pacific region, could very well be someone to put their hand up again as he is extremely passionate about developing the game.

“The Polynesian community is extremely important to the game of rugby league and any game development within the region should be supported.”

The likes of Api Koroisau, Maika Sivo, Haumole Olakau’atu and Tui Kamikamica are obvious potential targets for the new franchise with all their deals expiring at the end at the end of 2025.

Haumole Olakau'atu (C) is one of the game’s premier second-rowers and could be a target of a new team. Picture: Getty

While there will be a need to rely on established NRL stars there are plans afoot for the Pacific nations to develop homegrown talent. A PNG contingent toured Australia earlier this month where they explored Penrith’s facilities as they want to replicate their pathway systems.

Samoan star Josh Aloiai’s deal with Manly also ends at the end of 2025. He refused to enter discussions about joining any potential new team but backed the NRL’s plans for expansion in the region.

“I find it weird to comment about being anywhere else than where I am so I won’t, but what I will say is it’ll be great for the competition,” Aloiai said. “The NRL is made up of a huge portion of Pacific Islanders so I don’t think it would be hard to put a really strong side together pretty darn quickly.”

Canberra hooker Danny Levi said there would be no issue finding talent.

“It would be awesome if there was an 18th team to come from the Pasifika region,” Levi said. “It’s where a lot of the talent is at the moment. It would be about getting the best pathways in place. They have such raw talent. If they had that professional guidance it would be something the game would be able to tap into.”

Papalii also threw his support behind a Pasifika All-Stars concept which could replicate what has grown to become an annual pre-season tradition between the Indigenous and Maori All Star teams.