No chance for 2013

THE National Rugby League (NRL) Australia has no plans to expand the its competition in 2013.
NRL chief executive officer David Gallop in a letter dated Jan 10, 2010 to Sports Minister Philemon Embel obtained by The National stated that the NRL was not in a position to consider an application from PNG or any other region.
Gallop said the NRL was likely to be in a position to seriously consider expanding to include to another international based-team after the negotiation of the 2013 television broadcasting rights.
Gallop would not confirm that after the negotiations the competition would definitely expand but stressed that the NRL would look closely at the questions of both the number of teams and their geographic distribution within the competition.
In the meantime, the NRL CEO respectfully suggested that PNG National Rugby League Bid committee to work with the PNGRFL to further develop junior and senior rugby league with a greater focus of the integration of player pathways and development opportunities with the Australia Rugby League and Queensland Rugby League competition while ensuring the sustainability of the PNGRFL.
The letter was copied to Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare,  ARL (Australian Rugby League) chairman Colin Love  and CEO Geoff Carr.
Attempts to contact the NRL Bid team and Embel yesterday with questions on the revelation were unsuccessful.
Gallop’s sentiments have been shared by other notable rugby league personalities, both in PNG and abroad, who have said that the country would be better served entering a team into the Queensland state rugby league competition.