In PNG? I may be wrong (I can't find anything to prove either way) but given the ratio of male to female RL players is it likey that many of the alleged 2million are women? Of course PNG could be different to every other sporting country in the world and have a large number of players in a physical contact game be female!

Theres no rule that says 75 year olds can't play RL but I am willing to bet there aren't alot of 75 year old RL players in that alleged 2million either!

But they only play the game because the IRLF gave money to them that should have gone to Widnes and Leigh.

Which if you knew anything about him means that what he is saying is very unlikely to be true. The PM has a less than spotless record about making honest pronouncements - I live here and should know.



Doesn't matter, the results of the promise would be the same.



The company in question is actually using this sponsorship as a perk for senior management, it gives them an excuse for a few more overseas "business" trips. Their commitment to RL has been pathetic over the years in fact they have given more to yawnion.

Holmes is talking out his bum and he knows it as he has the number of registered players. He also knows that the finances of the PNGRL are in a very shaky state.

Women do not play RL in PNG, there are no organised women's competitions and it isn't played informally either. PNG is a very sexist society and the women are there to grow food, cook, clean up and raise children while the men play footy.

hes already given some of the money. looks like well just have to get a homeless guy to make the announcement.

the national sport of PNG is RL. they deserve a team, especially after their WC performances.

people like mal meninga know more about RL than you, im going with him

When they say "estimated 2 million" is that the Australian way of estimating?

Articles like that are just stupid, not even worth wasting your time with.


The game In PNG is run so differently to anything most people can imagine. You can't judge the strength of the game there by the same standards you would apply to Australia or New Zealand for instance.



As for the NRL, the ONLY way they can get an NRL side is it the mining companies in PNG back the club long term via sponsorship. The country doesn't have anything like the corporate base needed to run an NRL club. They also lack any facilities close to even the worse NRL club.


So what would be needed is for the government to build a 30,000 seat stadium, for the club to be willing to get by with basically no gate receipts (Because people in PNG cant afford NRL ticket prices), they would need to rely on a few massive sponsors, Australian training and coaching, and PNG talent alone, because you'll find NRL players will not go up there to play and live in PNG.

Its a lot to ask.


When you think of what it will take to run an NRL club in PNG.....I have to say, I'd think that money would be better spent on the people of PNG.

Scoot, scoot, scoot.....seriously.....it will work one day!

Australian training and coaching?

Ok it was an Australian Coach who guided the Kiwis to a world cup win. But lets face it Wayne Bennett always ends up at places where your average under eights grassroots coach could guide them to a world cup win or a NRL Grand Final win.

He knew when it was right to get out of the Australian hot seat for international level because his encouragement alone couldn’t get the Aussies to defend they title so he jumps ship and joins New Zealand which will go down well in his legacy.

This Australian coaching and training brings magic results is nothing but a myth and I’m so looking forward to see how the Great Wayne Bennett pulls it off at North Queensland where his encouragement tactics will hopefully spell failure.

Its New Zealand training and coaching this lot need. Coaching like that of the worlds best coach in Brian McClennan.

Wayne Bennett stepped down from the Australian job in complete embarrassment when he returned home from losing the tri nations final the the media caught him scampering away out the side door of the airport.


Still, I wouldn't expect you to know anything about what you are talking about.


Wayne Bennett in North Queensland.....please....go back to your club boards where you can be a cheerleader you embarrassment.

You’re a nation of embarrassments that I only have time for is because some Australian players do come here and do a good job. How can this terd make News I do not know!



Oh and you call this comedy (only in Australia could you find someone who’s find humour in a child’s disfigured finger) -





St. George Illawarra Dragons then its all the same. Your clubs in the NRL are all down in the pecking order when it comes to World Club Challenge wins. This current Leeds Rhinos team just needs to play your current state of Origin winning team so we can shut you Aussies up!

Damo - leeds- you're pathetic