LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Aussie swimming legend Leisel Jones has thrown a curveball at the NRL with her recent comments exposing the truth behind Papua New Guinea's potential $600 million entry into the league.
The NRL's plans to introduce a PNG team as the 18th addition to the competition seem to be gaining momentum, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pushing for their inclusion since August 2023.
However, Jones has raised doubts about whether the mates up north are really keen on joining the league.
While Albanese has been spruiking the benefits of having a PNG team in the NRL, promising to invest in the necessary resources to make it happen, questions still linger about the demand for such a move in Papua New Guinea.
Last week, 2GB's Ben Fordham spilled the beans on the financial details, revealing a whopping $600 million investment over a decade, with a significant portion earmarked for pathways and programs in the Pacific region.
Despite Fordham confidently declaring that "the deal is done," there are still lingering concerns around security and logistical challenges that need to be sorted out before the PNG dream becomes a reality.
In a game of strategy and negotiation, it seems like the NRL is betting big on expanding its reach into the Pacific, using soft diplomacy to counterbalance China's influence in the region.
But whether Papua New Guinea is ready to tackle the challenges of joining the big league remains to be seen.