Justin Olam urges PNG Government to focus on pathway development
Papua New Guinea’s ambitious dream to become the 18th NRL team remains cloudy as PNG international Justin Olam reveals uncertainty over the idea to base the team in Australia.
Instead, Olam is pushing to see the team reside in Port Moresby and get the government to focus more on developing proper pathways to support the NRL bid.
The push to have a PNG team in the top-flight competition is fueled by Prime Minister James Marape and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese.
Last week Mr Marape was invited to address the Australian Federal Parliament and rugby league was echoed as a common value shared between both countries.
The current government in PNG and Australia view league as one of the core pillars that will strengthen their bilateral ties.
ARL commission chairman Peter V'landys reported that PNG is on top of the list to be granted the license by 2025.
According to reports, if PNG is successful in its NRL quest, it is believed that the PNG franchise will be based in Cairns.
However, the former Melbourne Storm center is thoughtful with this move, stating it would not be fitting to have a PNG team centered in Queensland.
"Unless they're based in Port Moresby then it's an Aussie team that's going to have the label of PNG," Olam said.
"I don't think it's good, I want a PNG team based in PNG for PNG players.
"For us to have that, we need to invest in our junior competition and build our pathways first because (NRL) is a big jump."
There has been a lot of talk to make way for PNG to field the 18th team in the Australian NRL, and obviously that will require adequate support from both governments.
A lot of discussions and stories have been coming out stating that millions of dollars have been parked aside for this course to ensure the bilateral ties between both countries are enhanced.
When Albanese visited PNG in early 2023, he spoke of rugby league on the floor of the PNG Parliament as mutual joint charge flanked by the two countries.
The Australian PM also referred to rugby league as a common ground which both countries share, and that he is a great supporter of seeing a PNG team in the NRL in the future.
As both governments discuss possibilities of PNG's NRL Bid, the pros and cons of this rugby league dream for PNG is being weighed with a lot of ongoing dialogue.
Apart from the political motive to make this bid a success, Olam insists investing in grassroots rugby league would pave way for this expansion.
The Wests Tigers recruit says he is a clear illustration of this pathway and only got exposed through the Hunters system. With Hunters struggling to remain competitive in Hostplus Cup, the idea of establishing the team in Port Moresby would also boost development corridors.
"I think we need to invest in the grassroots, that's what my decision would be but I'm not in power,” Olam said.
"The Hunters are in the Q-Cup but they're not dominating every year or winning premierships.
"My opinion is, if they're based in PNG they'll spend money, do clinics and develop the game, people would come and watch and that would generate the economy."