Papua New Guinea granted historic NRL expansion licence after years of campaigning

12/11/2024 06:30 PM

• PNG to become just second overseas franchise from 2028
• Australian government can pull $600m funding at any time

Australia will be able to withdraw $600m in funding for a PNG rugby league team at any time and without cause under a 10-year deal struck to financially back the expansion side that will enter the NRL in 2028.

The Australian government will not release terms of the deal between the two countries, which sits alongside the bilateral security agreement that comes into force on Thursday, but officials have described the arrangement as based on shared strategic trust.