- PNG bid reaffirms to be NRL’s newest and 18th franchise
- The candidacy has strong support from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
- Other offers are being considered in Perth, New Zealand and Brisbane
ARL Commission chief Peter V’landys has confirmed that current football stars will likely be offered extra money and other incentives to live full-time in Papua New Guinea, as Pacific Nation signs up as the NRL’s 18th franchise.
A working group has been set up in PNG and V’landys has stepped up negotiations with Anthony Albanese as part of a $600 million commitment.
The Prime Minister has made no secret that he wants an NRL team based in Papua New Guinea, and V’Landys admitted that players who decide to play for the franchise, probably in 2027 or 2028, will be rewarded financially.
“(The expansion into PNG) is a few years away, but we are certainly discussing it with the federal government,” V’landys said.
‘If you play there, you might get tax-free dollars, so you’ll get a lot more money than you get now because you’re not paying the same level of taxes.
ARL Commission chief Peter V’landys (pictured right) has confirmed that current football stars will likely be offered extra money and other incentives to play in Papua New Guinea, while the Nation Pacific reaffirms itself as the NRL’s 18th franchise.
Despite signing with the Rabbitohs on a three-year deal, Wayne Bennett is the choice to coach the NRL franchise from Port Moresby.
‘It may not be completely tax free, but yes, there could be a tax benefit to encourage players to play in PNG.
“That is an initiative that we are analyzing.”
Despite Albanese’s intentions, some rugby league identities are said to be concerned given Papua New Guinea currently has the second highest crime rate of any country in the world.
Meanwhile, V’landys revealed on Friday that it was “D-Day” as he prepared to meet Australian government officials in Brisbane ahead of the Magic Round to discuss PNG’s bid.
He also stated that he was willing to withdraw if negotiations did not progress as expected.
V’Landys confirmed that Dolphins head coach Wayne Bennett had been appointed as the head coach of the next expansion team, adding that offers in Perth, New Zealand and Brisbane for the next franchise are still being considered.
“It’s not a done deal,” V’landys said of PNG’s offer.
‘We have some negotiating points that we haven’t overcome and if we don’t overcome them, it won’t happen.
Dragons veteran Jack de Belin is a PNG international and could line up for the team, which will be based in Port Moresby.
“Today we will meet with the government. [Friday] on various aspects and, hopefully, we can resolve them and move forward.
‘There are commercially sensitive issues. We have to overcome some of those sticking points that will hopefully be resolved.”
V’landys added that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was “a strong supporter” of the candidacy, with the The Australian government is committing $600 million over 10 years to fund the bid.
V’landys said PNG’s bid was more than just an NRL team and would be used as an efficient way to encourage school attendance and improve social conditions.
He also said the party would be based in PNG after abandoning an earlier proposal to move to Cairns.