The recent announcement of the new Papua New Guinea NRL team is one of the most important moments in modern Pacific Island history.
The PNG team, which has the backing of the Australian and Papua New Guinea Governments, will join the NRL Premiership in 2028 and is set to play before sell-out crowds in Port Moresby.
A public competition to decide the name of the new team is underway and it is expected that the chosen name will be announced during Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations.
When the team runs out for their first match in 2028, it will be an historic moment that unites the entire nation but one that never would have been possible without the pioneers of Papua New Guinea rugby league.
The 26th Annual Tom Brock Lecture - ‘The Stories of PNG Rugby League’ - will be delivered by author Patrick Skene on Monday, September 1 at Petersham RSL.
The lecture will retrace the steps and stories of the pioneers and heroes of Papua New Guinea rugby league - the giants upon whose shoulders the new PNG NRL team rests.
Hero stories include:
- Sir John Kaputin - First to break the colour barrier in Port Moresby
- Paul Chue - First Kumuls captain - Chinese heritage PNG hero
- Sean Dorney - ABC PNG Correspondent and Kumuls captain
- John Wagambie - Captain of first Kumuls win over France
- Bal Numapo - First contracted player in the NSWRL with the Bulldogs
- Stanley Gene - Super League star
- Marcus Bai - The Chosen One
- Justin Olam - Storm premiership winner and PNG superstar
- Alex Johnston - Set to become the greatest try scorer in premiership history
Some say the PNG team is too early and not ready. Others say it is overdue.
An expert panel comprising of Patrick Skene, PNG Sydney Consul-General Ponabe Yuwa and NRL Senior Journalist Brad Walter will examine why the PNG team is one of the most pivotal moments in the growth of international rugby league.
The 26th Annual Tom Brock Lecture: Stories of PNG Rugby League is a free event, starting at 6.30pm Monday, September 1 at Petersham RSL.
The Panel
Patrick Skene is a rugby league writer, ABC Pacific Beat rugby league correspondent and author of ‘The Big O - The Life and Times of Olsen Filipaina’.
Ponabe Yuwa is the Sydney Papua New Guinea Consul General. He has extensive administrative and diplomatic experience in Papua New Guinea including serving as PNG High Commissioner Solomon Islands.
Brad Walter is a journalist with over 30 years' experience covering the NRL and other sports. In addition to his role as NRL Senior Journalist, he is also International Rugby League Media Manager. He has also served as Media Manager for the Pacific Championships in Papua New Guinea and worked for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup organising committee.
