NRL 2024: RLPA boss Clint Newton says Papua New Guinea expansion team can create fresh frenzy in player market

Players’ union boss Clint Newton believes an expansion team in Papua New Guinea can be a success and leave a lasting legacy on the country, but hinges on how the franchise attracts itself to the players.

Players’ union boss Clint Newton has revealed that he has held high-level discussions with the Australian and PNG government over the future of a new NRL side as the game’s expansion plans threaten to create a fresh frenzy in the player market.

Newton, having recently returned from his second trip to PNG within the space of two months, has given his personal backing to the nation’s expansion plans but said the players’ stance will be governed by ongoing talks with government and NRL officials.

The NRL is in the process of finalising expansion, with the addition of a team in PNG considered a mere formality after the federal government reached an agreement with the NRL over a 10-year commitment worth $600 million to the Pacific region.

The promise of an NRL side is being used to help the federal government keep China at bay in the Pacific – it was reported last week that any deal would be contingent on PNG using Australia as its preferred policing and security partner.

Newton played in the first Prime Minister’s XIII game nearly a decade ago and says the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) is committed to making PNG a success should it receive the green light.

“I have been twice in the last six weeks, I had played there in very first time PM’s game back in 2005,” Newton said.

RLPA boss Clint Newton. Picture: AAP Image/James Gourley

“Since then, standards have increased drastically. PNG obviously love their rugby league and that’s a crucial piece for the game in our region.

“Having a team there can really start to strengthen the code in the Pacific forever. The PNG bid is just one part of a much bigger Pacific strategy.

“Based on our experience and track record, once expansion comes in, our goal will be to help make it as successful as possible, because it could be, as I said, incredible for rugby league in PNG and their whole country.”

THE PLAYERS

Newton insists that the Australian and PNG governments, as well as the NRL, are well aware that they need to make any new franchise attractive to players.

That doesn’t just mean financially, although money will no doubt play a part in whether players uproot their families and move to Port Moresby.

The new team also needs to ensure the living and training conditions are up to standard. On that front, it is understand that there have been discussions about building a safe community for players and their families who move to the country.

The new PNG franchise needs to be attractive to potential player signings. Picture: NRL Photos

Tax incentives have also been mooted in a bid to make the PNG side more attractive to potential signings.

“In my conversations with the Australian Government they are cognisant and really positive about the fact that the players will make this expansion side successful,” Newton said.

“That’s (tax incentives) for the government to work through. Will that be the difference between the player going to PNG or not? It’s hard to say.

“There are those other key elements that are going to need to be worked through. It can be a motivator but based on our statistics over the last several years, lifts in player salaries or pay is not even on the podium for the main reason why players will move clubs.

THE MARKET

The NRL is no stranger to expansion. The Dolphins are two years into existence and they have been an incredible success given the limited time they were given to sign players.

It is going to be one of the key issues as the NRL prepares to introduce two teams in coming years – Perth is expected to enter the premiership in 2027 provided head office can strike a deal with the WA government before PNG joins a year later.

That means at least another 60 players will be required for the two new expansion franchises and the NRL will want them to hit the ground running.

Newton would like to see expansion sides given a longer window to negotiate with players – under the current system, players are only free to speak to rival clubs once they enter the final year of their existing deals.

“I definitely think there should be some key leanings from the Dolphins and them entering the competition,” Newton said.

Newton thinks the new franchise should be given more time to negotiate with players. Picture: NRL Photos

“I thought they were right up against it in a short space of time and obviously there’s been some changes to the way in which clubs can contact players and the anti-tampering rules around that.

“Players can’t be contacted by clubs outside the last 12 months of their deal. So that was around some of the issues the clubs had with the Dolphins – they weren’t able to sign a deal with players but they were able to approach them outside the 12 month window.

“That was tidied up in the CBA. I think everyone’s desire is to make any bid that is green lit by the NRL successful, so those are things that have to be worked through and would need to be agreed with us.

“Whatever the bid is, if they were come into the competition in ’28, then there would need to be a discussion around when can people start contacting players and you would suggest that they would need a longer runway than 12 months.”

THE LEGACY

From personal experience, Newton has seen the difference rugby league can make in PNG. Rugby league is making a huge impact in the country, as evidenced by their schoolboys side taking on Australia recently and emerging with a draw.

Rugby league is a huge draw in Papua New Guinea and an NRL team will only improve that. Picture: NRL Photos

That ability to make positive change is one of the key reasons Newton harbours a personal belief that a team in PNG can be a success and will provide an allure to players.

Any player who opts to be part of the PNG franchise has the opportunity to make a lasting impression on the nation and potentially rugby league in the Pacific.

“PNG expansion is such a rare and unique opportunity,” Newton said.

“The players and their profiles will be hugely responsible for strengthening its success and they will be the face of the work the expansion side is already doing on the ground.

“There is huge amounts of work already happening by the bid to get it off the ground and help it become a success. But they have to be provided like anything with the framework, the infrastructure, the facilities and the support to perform at their best for the country and for the fans.

“Again, that’s not to say it’s for everyone. But there is a legacy aspect which will be appealing to players.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: RLPA boss Clint Newton says Papua New Guinea expansion team can create fresh frenzy in player market