Cricket
Racing
Rugby
League
Motorsport
Football
Golf
Combat Sports
Basketball
Tennis
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Find your Sport Nation frequencyHow NRL plans to get more PNG players onto club lists
Joel Gould, AAP • April 17th, 2025 9:32 pm
PNG hooker Judah Rimbu | Photo: NRL
The ARLC has introduced a new win-win policy that will develop talent in Papua New Guinea ahead of their NRL entry in 2028, while also benefiting the 17 clubs.
The initiative will allow NRL clubs to sign two PNG pathway players outside of the salary cap for both the top 30 squad and supplementary player list.
The players in question have been defined as those who have participated in junior rugby league in PNG.
The move has the backing of Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf, who has seen first-hand both at the Redcliffe-based club and during his stint in the Super League how exposure to high-performance environments can benefit players from PNG.
ARLC Chairman Peter V'landys said the new policy was designed to encourage clubs to invest in emerging talent from the nation where rugby league is the national sport, while providing clearer pathways for players looking to break into the NRL.
The federal government is tipping in $600 million to help create the NRL's new PNG team | Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP
"The recent performance of the PNG schoolboys team, which drew 22-all with the strong Australian side, is a clear indicator of the talent emerging from the region," V'landys said.
"These young players will gain invaluable experience through increased exposure to the NRL system."
The Dolphins have a track record of embracing PNG talent and Woolf welcomed the new initiative.
"It is something we'd be open to and willing to have a look at," Woolf said.
"Our first two pre-seasons we had some guys come over from the PNG Hunters and they were great having around.
"A lot of those guys are in England now (in the Super League) - guys like Rodrick Tai and Judah Rimbu. They added to our squad in terms of what they can bring physically and what they brought to the place."
Edwin Ipape is among the Papua New Guinea stars currently playing in England | Photo: NRL
Super League has always provided a great opportunity for PNG players.
But now the NRL initiative will fast-track their progress in the toughest competition in the world.
"For those guys to go over there and get that opportunity I think it puts them in a great position to come back and play NRL," Woolf said.
" The young hooker (Edwin Ipape) at Leigh is a good example of that when you look at the player he is and what he was able to do at the World Cup. Given the opportunity here, I think there are more players who can develop into NRL players."
The ARLC policy is part of a broader strategy that includes increased funding for participation pathways across PNG and the Pacific region.
JWH, thanks for the memories! | Running It Straight
