NRL expansion plans to cater for PNG (Post Courier 6/02/18)

NRL Commissioner Peter Beattie

RUGBY LEAGUE

BY FIDELIS SUKINA

The National Rugby League (NRL) competition will certainly be expanding to include Papua New Guinea with PNG showing superb form in the Queensland Intrust Super Cup and the nations turn out and support for the game of rugby league.

In an exclusive correspondence via email with Post-Courier NRL Commissioner and former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie, who is touted to be the next chairman of Australia Rugby League, said PNG is certainly showing the right signs to see the country included in the expansion of the league.

“PNG have been one of the real success stories of the Intrust Super Cup and would clearly be in the mix when we consider expansion of the NRL competition.

“You could not help but be impressed by the PNG side in the World Cup and we know they will draw great crowds, especially at home. There is a long way to go before we make any decision on expansion but, when we do, I have no doubt that PNG will be one of the contenders,” Beattie said.

In a recent interview with the “daily telegraph” an Australian Newspaper Beattie has come out with a strong statement “the quality of the game is great but we’ve got to ensure it has a future. That’s why expansion is so important,” he said.

He gave a possibility of expanding the competition in 2022 with the new TV deal for the NRL due four years from now. He added; “Are we going to have another QLD team? Or is it PNG? Is it Perth or country NSW?

Beattie who is a Brisbane Broncos fan told Post Courier while there was a long way before PNG is considered for NRL expansion more games like the 24th of February match between the SP PNG Hunters and the Brisbane Broncos was great but would be on the clubs prerogative.

“I think it would be great to see more matches played in PNG. The atmosphere at Port Moresby for a Rugby League game has to be seen to be believed. Inevitably it will come down to costs and whether it is practical for clubs to take games to PNG. But I’d love to see it happen,” Beattie said.

But Beattie did acknowledge the crowd factor in PNG which he added boosts the rugby league atmosphere.

“One of my priorities, if I take on the role of Chairman of the ARL, will be to look at how we can improve crowds.

“And, as I’ve said, there is no more fanatical group of supporters than those in PNG. One thing is for sure… when NRL stars visit PNG the fans turn up in big numbers,” Beattie said.

Beattie is certain though that PNG Players are NRL material adding it is inevitable that players will be considered for NRL.

“The PNG players demonstrated in the World Cup that the standard of the game in your country is improving all the time. The PNG stars excelled in the Intrust Super Cup last year and again at the World Cup. I think it is inevitable that, as they continue to improve through the Queensland Cup, more and more players will catch the eye of NRL clubs,” Beattie said.