Demetriou’s gig open doors for PNG boys to UK

Thursday, 16 October 2025, 2:00 pm

Jason Demetriou after the PMs XIII fixture against Australia-Picture (NBC News: Jack L Jnr)

Doors are opening and there could be more opportunities for PNG rugby league players to play their trade in the United Kingdom.

These opportunities are likely, following the appointment of Jason Demetriou as Head Coach for the London Broncos last month.

With the Super League expanding to 14 teams next season, the Wimbledon-based club submitted their bid with the likes of Bradford Bulls, York Knights, Oldham, Widnes Vikings and Doncaster.

According to BBC Sport, the two additional clubs joining the Super League next season will be known in the coming days.

Having had coaching gigs with Wakefield Trinity and York Knights and having played in the UK over a decade ago, the 49-year-old is familiar with the British lifestyle, but before he returns to the northern hemisphere, the mission on foot is getting the Kumuls to defend the Pacific Bowl for the third consecutive year.

The former South Sydney coach was brought up to PNG from Australia to prepare the Kumuls for the 2026 World Cup, and he started off last year with the Kumuls Pacific Bowl success and making it to the promotion-relegation fixture against the first-tier Kiwis.

While the short term plan is to get the job done in the Pacific Championships, the long-term plan is having a solid PNG Kumuls squad for the World Cup, and the Wimbledon gig could benefit the Kumuls big time.

"A part of what excited me to go over there, is the opportunity to take some of the boys with me and get as many as we can play in the NRL or Super League," Demetriou said.

Demetriou confirmed that by the time PNG has a World Cup on home soil in 2026, the team will have many players prepared.

"I've got a lot of trust with the Papua New Guinea boys to get over there, so over the next couple of weeks, you will see some information that comes out," he said.