Which team will get the 18th Franchise

[gallagher]

You're not biased [in a good way] are you gallagher, because it looks like you may come from there.
My other guess is the West Indies 😀.

Nah mate, aussie 100%.
I just thought the idea of a PNG side based in another country was crazy.

 

[BAGNF05]

Nah mate, aussie 100%.
I just thought the idea of a PNG side based in another country was crazy.

I think the idea is they play most home games out of Port Moresby but live in Cairns. The other option is to build a gated community which sounds horrible.

 

[gallagher]

I think the idea is they play most home games out of Port Moresby but live in Cairns. The other option is to build a gated community which sounds horrible.

VLandys canned Cairns. It's going to be based in PNG.

 

[BAGNF05]

VLandys canned Cairns. It's going to be based in PNG.

I heard something about the gated community, that must of been it. Can’t see many players being too keen. Probably big incentives $$

 

[gallagher]

I heard something about the gated community, that must of been it. Can’t see many players being too keen. Probably big incentives $$

The covid camps would still be fresh in their minds . Recruiting will be a huge challenge

 

[BZN]

I think I was correct, PNG ( Cairns based) team here we come. When PVL said he was called in by Albo to discuss you know it’s politics. And only going to cost a lousy $600m over 10 years.
2028 launch so Wayne can have a couple of seasons with South’s and then launch
the PNG team.
Let’s hope 2028 doesn’t give China enough time to run some sort of blocking manoeuvre.
I think it’s a very sad move in relation to the game !

I wouldn't worry about China running a blocking manoeuvre Hb61.
The only game they would be good at is Chinese Chequers.

 

[BZN]

Think I'm the only person in Australia who thinks this is awesome news.

Long term this is going to be great for PNG, and great for our sport. For the former, it should encourage tourism and investment. For the latter, a massive new rapidly growing market of 10 million die-hard fans, something the AFL could only dream of. And the NRL doesn't even have to pay for it!

PNG has a population of 10 million plus, wow 😱. I'm amazed as it seems to be all jungle there.

 

[BZN]

Without wanting to downplay the significance of sensitive regional issues. From an NRL competition integrity perspective, is it possible that the relative success of the PNG NRL side will also at some point fit with the national interest?

You're a deep thinker BalmainJnr 👍.

 

[SeanT]

Think I'm the only person in Australia who thinks this is awesome news.

Long term this is going to be great for PNG, and great for our sport. For the former, it should encourage tourism and investment. For the latter, a massive new rapidly growing market of 10 million die-hard fans, something the AFL could only dream of. And the NRL doesn't even have to pay for it!

Think I'm the only person in Australia who thinks this is awesome news.

Long term this is going to be great for PNG, and great for our sport. For the former, it should encourage tourism and investment. For the latter, a massive new rapidly growing market of 10 million die-hard fans, something the AFL could only dream of. And the NRL doesn't even have to pay for it!

The taxpayers pay for it. You and me. Rather the money go elsewhere at the moment.

 

[BirchgroveTigers]

Super keen for it to be honest, hope it all works out.

A risk no doubt but huge potential for our sport. As said earlier, 10m in PNG and the prospect of potentially a rugby league nursery up there with any country in the world. A good decade away no doubt but if the NRL can get all the ducks in a row, a proper game changer.

 

[hank37w]

Recruitment will be an issue, as you said. Not just players, but coaches, management, admin.
I wouldn't like to be reffing there ...

I'm thinking home games might look a little like that Blues Brothers scene where they have to pacify the crowd by playing a rendition of Raw Hide.

Might be the same until the home crowd get the rub of the green from the ref.

 

[hank37w]

I wouldn't worry about China running a blocking manoeuvre Hb61.
The only game they would be good at is Chinese Chequers.

Not sure about that they are probably at this very moment cloning Rugby League immortals in a Wuhan laboratory.

 

[Halbrowne61]

Not sure about that they are probably at this very moment cloning Rugby League immortals in a Wuhan laboratory.

Funny response H, possible but unlikely.

I was thinking more about offering substantial financial support to the PNG government, or offering to fund major infrastructure projects, eg a new super highway from Pom to Lae through the Owen Stanley ranges. That would open up the country massively and reinstate China as flavour of the month.
(Plus a few well placed brown envelopes to PNG ministers.)

 

[twentyforty]

Funny response H, possible but unlikel
I was thinking more about offering substantial financial support to the PNG government, or offering to fund major infrastructure projects, eg a new super highway from Pom to Lae through the Owen Stanley ranges. That would open up the country massively and reinstate China as flavour of the month.
(Plus a few well placed brown envelopes to PNG ministers.)

Hal, coincidence you should mention that. A few years ago my daughter was selected as part of a group of engineers to investigate the possibility of your super highway. The parachuting, jungle survival, dietary etc training was set to go, then called off last minute because of tribal warring. I breathed a sigh of relief.😮‍💨

 

[Blocker1963]

Hal, coincidence you should mention that. A few years ago my daughter was selected as part of a group of engineers to investigate the possibility of your super highway. The parachuting, jungle survival, dietary etc training was set to go, then called off last minute because of tribal warring. I breathed a sigh of relief.😮‍💨

Lived and worked in PNG for 6 years, both in Port Moresby and the Highlands. What a lot of people do not understand, its also a political move, the Chinnese influence has a great presence in the country, Chinnese police etc: The level of political corruption is nothing you will really hear about, the country is so rich in gas, oil and gold. I have been around political figures that brag about there wealth, owning multipule properties in Australia and overseas, and its not from their salaries. So the NRL is going to feed political corruption, because a lot of money is going to go into their pockets, thats a given. Other points, the average wage is $1.20 Aud per hour for common workers, how do they afford NRL game price tickets. Also did not see one junior game the whole 4 years in Port Moresby, there is no junior pathways. If they get the 18th, its a big mistake.

 

[twentyforty]

Lived and worked in PNG for 6 years, both in Port Moresby and the Highlands. What a lot of people do not understand, its also a political move, the Chinnese influence has a great presence in the country, Chinnese police etc: The level of political corruption is nothing you will really hear about, the country is so rich in gas, oil and gold. I have been around political figures that brag about there wealth, owning multipule properties in Australia and overseas, and its not from their salaries. So the NRL is going to feed political corruption, because a lot of money is going to go into their pockets, thats a given. Other points, the average wage is $1.20 Aud per hour for common workers, how do they afford NRL game price tickets. Also did not see one junior game the whole 4 years in Port Moresby, there is no junior pathways. If they get the 18th, its a big mistake.

Interesting Block, I wonder what will happen to the $60m pa over the next 10 years? Is there a possibility it could get called off after year 2 or 3?

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Albo is stuffing plenty of things up the last few years... so why not add NRL to the list

 

[tig_prmz]

Think I'm the only person in Australia who thinks this is awesome news.

Long term this is going to be great for PNG, and great for our sport. For the former, it should encourage tourism and investment. For the latter, a massive new rapidly growing market of 10 million die-hard fans, something the AFL could only dream of. And the NRL doesn't even have to pay for it!

I've often wondered how important that figure actually is..

I would say a PNG person is worth 50x less than an Australian when watching the NRL in terms of revenue to the game. Factor in that with all the other additional costs of transporting a staff of 40+ people each week, making a centre of excellence there, setting up insurances etc I just cannot imagine it being financially viable let alone profiting even in the long term.

The only benefit is the NRL being able to say to the Federal Govt, you owe us one.

 

[Halbrowne61]

Hal, coincidence you should mention that. A few years ago my daughter was selected as part of a group of engineers to investigate the possibility of your super highway. The parachuting, jungle survival, dietary etc training was set to go, then called off last minute because of tribal warring. I breathed a sigh of relief.😮‍💨

Actually many years ago when I visited PNG quite regularly on business, the Japanese Govt actually offered to build the highway in return for a 99 year lease on all the PNG mineral projects.
Needless to say( with Aussie urgings) the govt said thanks but no thanks.
Probably best your daughter didn’t have to endure those things although amazing country.

 

[TillLindemann]

I've often wondered how important that figure actually is..

I would say a PNG person is worth 50x less than an Australian when watching the NRL in terms of revenue to the game. Factor in that with all the other additional costs of transporting a staff of 40+ people each week, making a centre of excellence there, setting up insurances etc I just cannot imagine it being financially viable let alone profiting even in the long term.

The only benefit is the NRL being able to say to the Federal Govt, you owe us one.

Fair point, a Papuan brings less revenue per capita than an Australian, but it is genuine expansion. Add a team in e.g. Central Coast or Sunshine Coast or Logan, you're just cannibalising already existing fans who already watch footy but would in future switch from the Tigers or Souths, to the Bears or whatever they're called.

And if we look at rugby union, the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika have proven more sustainable than the Melbourne Rebels! Fiji may be slightly more touristy than PNG, but I think in the long run PNG has a lot more potential as a developing economy and nation, and hopefully an NRL side can kickstart that.