No financial backing from US on NRL bid

THE United States will not provide financial support for a Papua New Guinea team to compete in the National Rugby League, if granted a license to join Australia’s top-tier rugby league competition.
US President Joe Biden’s administration this week supported Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s plans to expand NRL into the Pacific.
Albanese is in advanced discussion with the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) to consider including a team from PNG when the competition expands in 2027.
A US Embassy spokesperson told The National yesterday that sports diplomacy united people around the world.
“The United States has seen sports diplomacy programmes open doors and unite people around the world as an important element of broader diplomacy,” the spokesperson said.
“United States support for the addition of a PNG team to the NRL is not financial, but US Embassy Port Moresby staff look forward to donning red, black, and gold for Papua New Guinea’s first game if added as an NRL member.
“Sports are a shared passion around the world, and we look forward to seeing rugby unite cultures under a common love of the game.”
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys earlier said he expected the US would contribute financial support, especially given America’s ambition to strengthen ties in the Pacific as China increased its influence in the region.