Outrage over massive rumour NRL’s 18th team now a ‘one horse race’

The NRL’s gamble on an 18th team has reportedly become a “one horse race” with the league’s decision sparking fan anger.

The PNG bid has blown Perth away. Photo: Getty.

The NRL is reportedly getting ready to announce Papua New Guinea will be given a license to be the competition’s 18th team.

After years of posturing and bickering, the Australian Rugby League Commission is reportedly at the pointy end in its search to find the best host city for its new club.

A report dropped on Thursday suggesting the battle between the competing bids is now down to a “one horse race” — with Australia’s northern neighbour all but certain to get the nod.

The league has been forced to rush its process, desperately needing an 18th team following the Dolphins’ successful entry into the competition this yeas as the league’s 17th club.

It seems a government cash splash has been too hard for the league to say no to.

“There is so much happening behind the scenes and my mail is it’s simply a one-horse race,” NRL journalist Michelle Bishop told SEN on Thursday.

“PNG, in 2025, will become the 18th franchise.”

The PNG bid has blown Perth away. Photo: Getty.

The report is a hammer blow for competing bids, dominated by high-profile campaigns for a Perth-based consortium linked with Newtown Jets and another team in Queensland.

The North Sydney Bears are also continuing to push a case to align itself with any team that enters the competition.

The PNG bidding organisation has since said it would still be able to ahead even without financial promises made by the Anthony Albanese government.

Lead consultant of the PNG bid, Andrew Hill, has told foxsports.com.au the likely time frame will be for the team to enter the NRL in 2027.

“The bid itself is not being run an individual but by the government of PNG,” Hill said.

“It could (go ahead without Albanese’s support) but there’s no doubt having both the Australian and the PNG government involved is a game changer.”

Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy in July announced the federal government has put a $5.5 million package together to boost the PNG development campaign.

Albanese has reportedly indicated privately that his government is prepared to help underwrite a team with up to $25 million a year from the foreign aid budget.

Many fans, however, have immediately torched the NRL’s decision.

regular annoying reminder that the NRL’s 18-team competition will include two overseas teams and no clubs west of Melbourne ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

— Brett Sprigg (@BrettSprigg) October 19, 2023

NRL is so dumb, Perth allows for perfect TV audience with the time difference, has the infrastructure and huge potential for growth.

PNG has a huge fan base, no stadium suitable and little incentive to move and play for them, also will basically be another FNQ team.

— Ben - Teach - Back to Back to Back premiership . (@pantherman45) October 18, 2023

Nobody’s gonna wanna play for a team based in PNG, and another team in North Queensland just doesn’t really represent PNG does it,

— Dom Sullivan (@domsullivan22) October 18, 2023

Surely the #nrl look at this png bid with more regard than just the $20m a yr on offer by the gov?

I don’t imagine the broadcasters have much appetite for it beyond an extra game, whereas Perth offers an Australian tv audience in a different time slot & makes the game national.

— John (@John_Michaels1) October 19, 2023

The news will be particularly crushing for Bears fans after a government pledge of an $11m upgrade of North Sydney Oval was dashed during a change of NSW government this year.

“It turned a little nasty,” Bishop said.

“Liberal MP Matt Kean has said ‘you’d hate to think (NSW Premier) Chris Minns is cutting the funding because he’s a Bulldogs fan’. A little bit petty.

“It was a big part of the Bears’ push to become the NRL’s 18th franchise and accommodating for the Australian women’s cricket side at the iconic ground.”