Papua New Guinea to join NRL in 2028 but women's team plans remain uncertain

Papua New Guinea will join the NRL in 2028, following an announcement by the Australian and PNG Prime Ministers. However, the establishment of a women's team is uncertain, as the Australian Rugby League Commission wants to ensure competitiveness first. ARLC chair Peter V'landys stated that a women's team will not be formed until there is confidence in its ability to compete. The men's team will receive $600 million in Australian taxpayer funding to support its entry. The women's rugby league in PNG is still developing, with a semi-professional tournament only starting this year. Recent performances show a significant gap in competitiveness compared to other nations.