Papua New Guinea government to build $150m rugby league compound

Peter V’landys has struck a deal on a landmark $150 million rugby league compound to house NRL stars who make the move overseas to play for expansion newcomers Papua New Guinea.

The ARL Commission has struck a deal on a landmark $150 million rugby league compound to safeguard NRL stars who move offshore to play for expansion newcomers Papua New Guinea.

This masthead can reveal the PNG government will bankroll a historic rugby league development – an ‘NRL Village’ to attract Australia’s elite talent to represent the code’s new club in the Pacific.

The revelation comes as some of the NRL’s biggest stars spoke out on the prospect of playing in PNG, with Queensland Origin skipper Daly Cherry-Evans backing the Pacific expansion project.

Daly Cherry-Evans surrounded by fans in Papua New Guinea. Picture: Nathan Hopkins, NRL Photos

Papua New Guinea will enter the Telstra Premiership in 2028, as either the 18th or 19th team, and as part of the $600 million growth plan backed by the Australian Federal government, key stakeholders are committed to building an NRL Mini City.

Sources close to negotiations say the PNG government is set to shake hands with the ARLC on the multimillion-dollar construction of a high-security NRL compound in Port Moresby.

The project is forecast to cost around $150m, with the NRL Village to be big enough to house a population of around 200, including players, their families and children, as well as officials of the new PNG outfit.

The PNG government will foot the bill of construction, with the state-of-the-art facility expected to include first-class amenities and recreational assets.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape with Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and ARLC chair Peter V'lamdys in the background. Picture: NewsWire

As part of the historic agreement, the PNG government has agreed to tax-free salaries for players and staff of the NRL franchise, while the expansion team will also receive a rugby league Centre of Excellence.

The Centre of Excellence will cost in excess of $50 million and give the new PNG team training facilities to match the likes of the Broncos, South Sydney, Penrith and Wests Tigers in the NRL’s infrastructure arms race.

The Wests Tigers’ new facility at Concord cost $78 million, underlining the NRL’s increasingly expensive march toward ultra-professionalism, seven years after the Broncos’ $27m Clive Berghofer Centre was opened in 2018.

Papua New Guinea has the second worst crime rate in the world and there are fears Australian league stars could baulk at the prospect of playing for a Pacific NRL franchise given safety concerns for young families.

But the PNG government is committed to a safety-first strategic plan, headlined by a revolutionary compound aimed at giving Australian NRL stars a home away from home.

Papua New Guinea has the second worst crime rate in the world. Picture: AFP

Cherry-Evans has represented the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII in PNG and believes an NRL compound, coupled with tax incentives, will encourage players and officials to live in Port Moresby.

“There are so many details that I would love to understand as a player if I was going over there,” he said.

“For the most part, I don’t think our game would ever put its players in a position to be harmed so I’m really confident that whatever happens with PNG is going to be player-safe and a professional environment where you can continue to get the best out of your career.

“I definitely think tax-free dollars will resonate with a lot of people and I think that will entice a few players to play for PNG.”

Asked if he would personally play for PNG, he said: “I have discussed this hypothetical at home with my wife. There’s pros and cons to work both ways, but it would be an amazing life experience … basically you would be getting twice your pay.”

Kalyn Ponga says he is happy in Newcastle, but believes the tax breaks will be attractive to prospective NRL players. Picture: Getty Images

Newcastle champion Kalyn Ponga says he is happily contracted at the Knights, but believes a PNG team can be a launch pad for prospective NRL careers.

“I’m sure they will be great for the comp,” he said.

“Obviously I’m happy at Newcastle, but I’ve never even been to PNG.

“I think it would be tough to move over. You just don’t know what the facilities, medical and high-performance will be like over there.

“If you are a young player coming through, the tax breaks would be attractive.”

Superstar Broncos prop Payne Haas believes many NRL stars would be open to living in a compound facility.

“I think it will be pretty good,” he said. “I’m happy at the Broncos but I believe the NRL will do a good job with that safety stuff and making sure there’s no issues for guys going there.

“NRL players in PNG will be looked after.”

Originally published as Papua New Guinea government to build $150m rugby league compound