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Papua New Guinea star Justin Olam has urged NRL powerbrokers to base the NRL’s newest franchise in Port Moresby and invest funds into the nation’s rugby league programs.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys has previously made it clear that a Papua New Guinea team are a serious contender to become the NRL’s 18th franchise.
However, according to AAP, the team could base their training in Cairns and travel to Port Moresby to play games in front of the rugby league mad nation.
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Olam, who has played 14 games for PNG, believes that move would only take funds and benefits away from the nation’s grassroots programs.
“Unless they’re based in Port Moresby then it’s an Aussie team that’s going to have the label of PNG,” Olam said to AAP.
“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.”
Olam also pointed to the PNG Hunters who currently feature in the Queensland Cup, having been introduced into the competition in 2014.
The current Tigers centre is the only player to have come through the Hunters pathway and play first grade rugby league.
He believes the PNG side haven’t been able to develop players from their own country, having struggled to compete in recent seasons, finishing 10th in 2023.
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However, the Hunters were able to lift the premiership trophy in 2017, the same year PNG made the quarterfinals in the World Cup.
“The Hunters are in the Q Cup but they’re not dominating every year or winning premierships,” Olam said.
“I think we need to invest in the grassroots, that’s what my decision would be but I’m not in power.
“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.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has previously promised funding to PNG Prime Minister James Marape who is desperate to be granted an NRL license by 2025.
Albanese has reportedly indicated privately that his government is prepared to help underwrite a team for up to $25 million a year.
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