PNG Australia bilateral grows deep through sports diplomacy

Papua New Guinea prime minister and his Australian counterpart believes sports diplomacy will unify both nations.

The largest Melanesian country, separated by the Coral Seas from the Australia continent, history dates back to PNG pre-independence.     

PNG is the only country in the world that claim rugby league as its national sport. And the Thursday’s announcement of the country to be fielding a team in 2028 season of the Australia National Rugby League [NRL] Competition, as gone historic, across the Coral Seas.

Prime Minister James Marape described the financial backing of the Australian Government for PNG entry bid to NRL as a unification strategy.    

 “We deeply appreciate our relationship with Australia. While government-to-government ties are important, at the heart and soul of this relationship must be people-to-people connections. Sport has the unique power to unite our two peoples, who share an ancient history and even the same DNA, as seen in the bond between Papua New Guineans and Torres Strait Islanders.

“An NRL team for PNG is more than just sports—it is a national unifying strategy. With our diverse cultures and people, rugby league can bring us together as one nation. At the same time, it strengthens the shared history and people-to-people links between PNG and Australia.”

Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese understands how rugby league will unite the people of PNG and Australia.   

“A Papua New Guinea NRL team is a game-changer for Australia’s relationship with PNG and a unifying force – no two countries have a greater passion for rugby league.

“Australia’s relationship with the Pacific is profoundly important and our sporting ties are unique.

“Partnering on rugby league is a genuine and powerful way of building lasting ties between our peoples, and ensuring long-term development, social and economic outcomes for PNG and the Pacific."