‘Farce’: Historic $600m Papua New Guinea deal divides fans

The announcement of Papua New Guinea receiving an NRL license has divided fans with some furious over the “historic” move.

Papua New Guinea are officially set to join the NRL competition in a move that has divided fans and commentators.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and PNG Prime Minister James Marape delivered the historic announcement at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices in Sydney on Thursday.

“Rugby league is PNG’s national sport and PNG deserved a national team,” Mr Albanese said.

“The new team will belong to the people of PNG. It will call Port Moresby home. It will have millions of proud fans barracking for it for day one. Not just in PNG but I suspect many Australians will adopt the PNG team.

“The partnership will support young people in the Pacific… Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.”

The Australian Government has outlaid $600 million over 10 years to fund PNG’s entry into the NRL which is expected to enter the competition in 2028.

The breakdown of the total figure sees a $60m payment to the NRL for a licensee fee, $290m for franchise support and $250m to bolster rugby league in the region.

PNG set to enter the NRL. Picture: PMO

While Mr Albanese spruiked the blockbuster move, the reaction to the $600m deal was divided.

One wrote on X: “This PNG thing is the biggest farce and we get to pay $600 million for the privilege.”

A second added: “$600m taxpayer dollars to the NRL to bring PNG into the fold. Great for PNG. What’s in it for Australia?”

A third posted: “The PNG NRL team is purely a political move. Tax-free salary allows them to have double the salary cap. Defeats the whole purpose of the salary cap in creating an equal league. The PNG team will fail within 5 years.”

A fourth wrote: “Can’t fix cost of living, can’t fix Alice Springs, can’t fix energy crisis, can’t fix the country’s division but happy to blow $600m in PNG. FFS Albo.”

Of course not everyone was disgruntled with the inclusion of Papua New Guinea, as many praised the NRL over the addition.

The $600m cash injection for PNG has been described as soft diplomacy as Australia tries to slow China’s growing influence in the region.

While the backlash remains, PNG are set to make a splash ahead of their arrival as they throw the cheque book around to lure big name stars to join them for the 2028 season.