Papua New Guinea were quarter-finalists in 2000. Rugby league in Papua New Guinea is regarded as the country’s national sport.

Rugby League started in PNG during the Gold Rush in the 1930’s. The scene was Bulolo where mainly men from Queensland and NSW played the game in between trying to make their fortunes. The PNG Rugby League was established in1951.

Rugby League is the national sport of PNG. Just on 50% of the population under 20 play Rugby League.

There are 10,000 registered players and 5,000 registered schoolboys. They compete in 40 affiliated Leagues around the country. Each League has a minimum of seven clubs and each club has four teams.

The national competition is known as the SP Cup and there nine teams franchised to a company who is their major sponsor. The competition is played from May to September. The competition is played across seven grounds. The 40 local Leagues each have its own ground.

There are a small number of qualified coaches. The ARL provides coaching for coaches and referees.

Juniors are in abundance with 5,000 registered aged between 12 and18. All the schools play Rugby League with the majority situated in the Islands, the Highlands and Port Moresby.

The standard is improving rapidly. There is so much natural attacking ability and the defence is getting stronger by the year.

South Pacific Brewery is the naming rights sponsor of the national competition. Nestle Milo is the major sponsor for the schoolboys and BOC Gas sponsor the under- 19 development program. Telikom PNG sponsors the national team.

PNG will tour Wales and France last this year. Next year games are planned against Fiji, NZ Maoris and an Australian indigenous team.

A goal of the PNG Rugby League is to have 120 players participating in the NRL and Super League in England by 2010.

The big guns for PNG are-Nico Slain, Michael Mark, Paul Aiton and Keith Peters. Aiton and Peters are members of the Penrith club in the NR.

Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League PO BOX 2099 Lae Morobe Province 411 Papua New Guinea

Telephone: +675 472 2011 Fax: +675 472 0232 Email: haru@pngnrl.com

Foundation Year: 1949 Affiliated Since: 1974 RLIF Status: Test Nation