The board announcement was made in Port Moresby on Tuesday by the ARLC chairman Peter V'landys AM and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo, alongside PNG Prime Minister James Marape and Australian Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy. Photo: Office of the Prime Minister, PNG
A competition has been launched to name Papua New Guinea's new NRL team.
The PNG team is set to join the NRL for the 2028 season.
The Post-Courier reported Prime Minister James Marape saying the name should be driven by a motive that reflects national unity, positive growth, and a strong partnership with Australia.
"In a land of a thousand tribes… this one team must resonate with one people, one nation, one country," he said at the competition launch.
PNG NRL bid CEO Andrew Hill said the competition was about creating a team that every Papua New Guinean can call their own.
"By inviting every Papua New Guinean to help us name our team, we are building something that truly belongs to its people," he said.
The board for the franchise was named in June, and features Marcus Bai, who played for the Kumuls, Melbourne Storm and Leeds Rhinos; and Ray Dib, former chairman of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Submissions for the team name will be open to all Papua New Guineans until 31 August, after which a board-designated team will filter the names.
The most popular suggestions will be put to a public online vote, with the final name requiring a majority vote to be selected.
It is expected that the chosen name will be announced during Papua New Guinea's 50th independence anniversary celebrations.
