- He will coach the Papua New Guinea national team
- He was sacked as Rabbitohs head coach in April.
- Papua New Guinea also consolidates its position as the NRL’s 19th licence in 2028
Papua New Guinea rugby league bosses believe hiring Jason Demetriou as national team coach is a “really positive” step on the road to inclusion in the NRL.
Demetriou will take charge of the Kumuls for the Pacific Championship in October, his first coaching job since being sacked as South Sydney head coach in April.
The appointment comes as an Australian government-backed bid by Papua New Guinean companies is seen as the most likely candidate for the NRL’s 19th licence, due to be awarded in 2028.
“Everything we’re doing is in preparation for becoming an NRL team and we believe Jason’s appointment is another really positive step towards that goal,” said Papua New Guinea NRL bid chief executive Andrew Hill.
“Having someone of Jason’s calibre in the game take on the role of head coach for Kumuls is another big step towards becoming part of the NRL.”
Demetriou could remain in charge for the 2026 World Cup, by which time the potential franchise’s preparations for an entry into the NRL would be in full swing.
“We are interested in building a long-term relationship with Jason ahead of RLWC 2026 and have been in discussions with Jason and look forward to finalising this soon,” PNGRFL CEO Stanley Hondina said.
Souths moved Demetriou after a 1-6 start to the 2024 season and the team’s capitulation to finals contention the previous year, when they had led the championship through 11 rounds.
Jason Demetriou has been handed a rugby league lifeline as the former Rabbitohs coach will now oversee the Papua New Guinea national team.
Papua New Guinea is positioned as the most likely candidate for the 19th NRL licence, due to be awarded in 2028 (pictured, local Kumuls fans)
The 48-year-old’s tenure was hampered by suggestions he was struggling to manage senior figures in the squad, tensions that contributed to the abrupt departure of club legend Sam Burgess from the coaching staff in 2023.
Demetriou had previously been Wayne Bennett’s protégé at Brisbane and then Souths, replacing the head coach in 2022 and leading the Rabbitohs to a preliminary final that year.
He has also held assistant coaching roles at St George Illawarra and North Queensland, including during the Cowboys’ drought-breaking 2015 championship season.
As a player, he spent his entire career in the UK. He currently works as a commentator on radio station Triple M.
Demetriou said he was “excited about what lies ahead” for Papua New Guinea, which boasts Justin Olam, Alex Johnston and Jack de Belin among its NRL talents.
“The game in Papua New Guinea is getting better and better and it’s a fantastic opportunity to work with such a talented team,” said Demetriou.
‘I have watched the team with interest over the last few years and they have a passion for the game that is evident every time they pull on the Kumuls jersey and represent their country.
‘I know there is a huge amount of work being done at school and academy level to help prepare the next generation of players and I am incredibly excited to be able to build on that with the senior team.
“It’s a great time to be in the game in this country.”
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