NRL club chief executives will hear about plans to expand competition into Papua New Guinea

NRL CEOs will meet prior to Magic Round kick off in Brisbane to hear the code’s rapidly moving plans for expansion.

There is growing momentum for an NRL expansion team based in the Pasifika. Picture: NRL Photos

The NRL’s expansion plans are set to reach a flashpoint on Thursday as club bosses prepare to demand more clarity around the prospect of adding an 18th team in Papua New Guinea.

Club chief executives have a meeting scheduled on the eve of Magic Round in Brisbane, where expansion is primed to be one of the hot topics of discussion amid reports that the confirmation of an 18th team could be only weeks away.

The ARL Commission have been locked in talks with the federal government over funding for expansion into PNG, where the game of rugby league would be part of a soft diplomacy package used to help fend off the incursion of China.

Talks have centred around a funding package of as much as $600 million over six years to help the game in PNG and fund an NRL side, which would be based out of either Port Moresby or Cairns.

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The clubs have largely been kept in the dark due to the sensitive nature of discussions but they are keen to get an update on what an 18th team would mean for them and how it would work if expansion is given the green light, potentially for the 2028 season if not earlier.

News Corp revealed at the weekend that a decision on expansion to 18 teams could be made next month with the prospect of a 19th franchise being confirmed soon after as the game plots a path to a 20-team competition.

At the heart of club concerns is how they would be affected from a financial perspective, particularly when it comes to their funding from head office.

They also want to know what an 18th team would mean to the broadcasting deal and whether more money would flow into their coffers.

The ARL Commission has set up a task force headed by commissioners Peter Beattie, a former Queensland premier, and Kate Jones, formerly a state minister, to oversee talks with the federal government over a funding package for a side in PNG.

Perth have also put their hand up to join an expanded competition, potentially in partnership with the Newtown Jets or North Sydney Bears.

Peter V’landys has grand expansion plans.

Magic Round in Brisbane shapes as the ideal time to discuss plans for expansion given every club will be on the ground as the entire round is played out of Suncorp Stadium.

As well as PNG and Perth, the south island of New Zealand has been mooted as a potential home for an expansion franchise given two consortiums have already put their hand up to be part of a bid for a licence.

Former NRL chief executive David Moffett and ex-Rugby Australian boss Andy Marinos are behind one of the bids and have already reached out to NRL officials to organise a meeting, although it is understood head office is currently putting all its energy into the PNG bid as they look to finalise funding in coming weeks.

Perth is the front-runner to secure a 19th licence while the south island of New Zealand shapes as a logical destination for a 20th team, based out of Christchurch and potentially representing the Pacifica region.

The Fijian government has also endorsed plans for a bid to have a team playing out of that country.

Originally published as NRL club chief executives will hear about plans to expand competition into Papua New Guinea