Our Country, Our Team
PNG
CHIEFS
The wait is over. Papua New Guinea has arrived in the NRL.
Rugby League Key to PNG's Future
On December 12, 2024, the Australian and PNG Governments, together with the ARL Commission, unveiled a historic agreement to grant Papua New Guinea a licence for an NRL team starting in 2028. Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stood alongside PNG Prime Minister James Marape to announce the AU$600 million Pacific Rugby League Partnership, funding the new club and grassroots programs. This made PNG’s inclusion the most ambitious expansion in NRL history, hailed as a strategic and cultural victory for both nations.
Rugby League isn’t just a sport in Papua New Guinea; it’s part of the national identity.
The Journey
2025 marked the nation’s 50th year of independence from Australia, with amazing celebrations and cultural events happening throughout the year and even more exciting announcements about PNG’s first NRL team.
1930
PNG's Century-Long Love Affair with Rugby League
Rugby league arrived in Papua New Guinea during the 1930s gold rush, brought by Australian prospectors working in the region. The sport gained renewed momentum when Australian military personnel reintroduced it during and following World War II.
1949
PNG Rugby Football League Founded
The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League was established in 1949, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s sporting history. The newly formed league provided structure and organisation to the game that had already begun capturing hearts across the country. Rugby league quickly evolved into more than just entertainment – it became a major spectator sport that drew passionate crowds and united communities throughout PNG.
1974
PNG Rugby League Gains Global Status
Papua New Guinea’s rugby league governing body achieved international recognition in 1974 when it became a member of the Rugby League International Federation. This milestone opened the door for the national team to compete on the world stage. The following year, PNG played its inaugural Test match, hosting Great Britain in a historic encounter that ended 40–12 in favor of the visitors. Despite the loss, the match represented a defining moment for PNG rugby league, signaling the nation’s arrival in international competition.
2013
PNG Enters Professional Rugby League with Hunters
Papua New Guinea took a major step forward in professional rugby league with the formation of the PNG Hunters in 2013. The club was established to compete in Queensland’s Intrust Super Cup, marking the first time PNG had representation in a professional rugby league competition. The Hunters’ entry into the league provided PNG players with a crucial pathway to higher levels of the sport and brought professional rugby league to passionate home crowds eager to support their national representatives.
February 2021
James Marape announces Hopes
Rugby league holds the position of PNG’s most beloved sport and is considered the nation’s signature game. Attempts to establish an NRL franchise in Papua New Guinea have been ongoing since 2008. In early 2021, Prime Minister James Marape publicly expressed his ambition to see a team competing in the NRL.
12 December 2024
Papua New Guinea to Enter NRL
The inclusion of a Papua New Guinea-based team in the NRL was announced on 12 December 2024, as part of the Pacific Rugby League Partnership involving the Australian Rugby League Commission and Australian Government, in which AU$600 million in government funding will support the new team as well as grassroots development and other community initiatives in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific islands.
24 June 2025
Announcement of Inaugural Board
On June 24 ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys and PNG PM James Marape jointly announced the franchise’s inaugural board. Former Canterbury Bulldogs chairman Ray Dib was introduced as the PNG club’s chairman, heading a seven-member board featuring PNG NRL legend Marcus Bai as well as Lorna McPherson, Richard Pegum, Stan Joyce, Wapu Sonk and Ian Tarutia. This milestone meant planning could accelerate with official governance in place.
12 October 2025
Name Announced
On October 12, after a national name-the-team campaign that garnered over 20,000 submissions, the winning name, PNG Chiefs, was unveiled. The name has significant cultural resonance because it’s a term that honours leaders – male or female – in communities and symbolises unity. The crowd’s roar at the announcement at Port Moresby’s Santos National Stadium affirmed it was a popular choice.
Rugby League
is the
Heartbeat.
With the groundwork laid, the Chiefs will turn to building a competitive roster. It will be a squad that mixes local PNG talent with experienced players from across the region. The plan also includes developing an NRLW squad too, and the organisation has already set up a rugby league academy to nurture future Chiefs for the women’s competition.
The PNG Chiefs will provide a pathway for PNG youth to follow their dreams, and a catalyst for economic growth, creating jobs and boosting tourism.
Sponsorship Enquiries
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