PNG’s NRL bid chairman Wapu Sonk reveals vision for new expansion side to have ‘one million members’

Meet the Nick Politis of Papua New Guinea. Wapu Sonk was the driving force behind PNG successful expansion bid, with the $10 billion petrol baron declaring his side will have more members than the rest of the league combined.

He is the man in charge of a $10 billion company who is set to share the same seat at the table as NRL club chairman heavyweights such as Nick Politis, Nick Pappas, Andrew Lancaster and Karl Morris.

Wapu Sonk has been a driving force of PNG’s NRL bid with Sonk the current chairman of the successful franchise who were granted an NRL license on Thursday morning.

He has proudly stoked the flame in recent months declaring the PNG side would be a roaring success by ensuring it will have “one million members” – more than the rest of the competition teams combined.

Sonk was on hand to help announce the partnership with the NRL and now is one of the game’s most powerful figures.

He is managing director of Kumul Petroleum – a position he has held for the past 10 years – which has been a major benefactor in getting PNG rugby league into this position. It is the largest company in PNG.

Prior to that he spent three years based in Sydney at Oil Search head office as their drilling and completions engineer.

PNG NRL bid chairman Wapu Sonk, Prime Minister James Marape and PNG RL chairman Andrew Hill.

Sonk was a guest of the NRL at Magic Round earlier this year and was at the NRL grand final.

“We won’t be like other NRL clubs in Australia, who have their own regions,” Sonk said recently.

“We are a country with a population of more than ten million people. Companies are queuing up to support the bid and team.

“At a minimum, we could get a million members. We will break every criteria the NRL uses, it’s crazy. Everything will be five, ten-fold. The NRL will realise it will be a very good investment.”

In his position he will now share the same seat at the table as the likes of Roosters supremo Politis, South Sydney long-term chairman Pappas, Channel 9 board member and Dragons boss Lancaster and Cronulla’s Steve Mace.

Wapu Sonk believes the Papua New Guinea team could get a million members. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Sonk has tried to allay any fears that PNG will be unsafe for those travelling teams.

“Rugby league will mitigate the security concerns because everyone has a common agenda, which is to enjoy their rugby league,” Sonk has previously said.

“It will solve some of our social issues, which in turn will help reduce crime rates. It will be transformative.”

Whilst Sonk is the current chairman there are expected to be board changes in the coming months. However, he will still be a highly influential figure when it comes to decision making in PNG.