The National Rugby League says it is forging closer links with Papua New Guinea both on and off the field.
NRL CEO Dave Smith joined the Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott's business delegation to Papua New Guinea this week.
He says the PNG Hunters performances in the Queensland Cup competition is an example of those links working well.
The NRL has also combined with the Australian Sports Commission and the PNG Department of Education for the League for Life program, which helps young people improve their football and life skills.
Dave Smith says he will visit a primary school and a mission to see the program first-hand while in PNG.
