Aust mayor backs PNG’s NRL bid

AN Australian mayor believes far North Queensland can play a part in Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) bid to become the National Rugby League’s (NRL) 18th side.
Sports Minister Wesley Raminai last week announced the Government’s intention to bid for a licence and join the competition by 2025.
Cairns regional council mayor Bob Manning, who has touted the prospect of a joint Cairns-PNG side for several years, said a combined effort would offer “tremendous benefits for both countries”.
Manning said he had undertaken “on and off” discussions with PNG officials about an NRL side for the past five years, most recently speaking with an executive at a function in Brisbane about five months ago.
However, he was not aware that the PNG and its rugby league governing body had planned to announce their bid last week.
“This is about a PNG proposal and we support that,” Manning said.“We would support that with open arms.”
Manning believed the bid’s chances of success would “definitely” improve if Cairns was involved, with player recruitment a key factor. “I don’t say that out of ignorance, or out of trying to be smart or something, but I think it stands to reason when you look at it all (and) weigh it up,” he said.
“Would (PNG) go somewhere else? I don’t know. Do they have to go somewhere else? Probably not.
“But they will come under huge scrutiny from the NRL because the NRL has to make sure the club can stand up.” – ABC