NRL sets itself as unity force against China in PNG
At PNG Chiefs, James Marape sees a “project of national unity” similar to South Africa’s Rainbow Nation Rugby World Cup victory in 1995.
Papua New Guinea’s prime minister hopes the incoming NRL team will transform his country by sending children to school and companies investing in the economy.
“Sport is more unifying than any other endeavor in life,” Mr Marape said in Sydney on Tuesday.
“Look at the Nelson Mandela strategy of using rugby union to unite South Africa…we find common unity behind a team.”
Mr Marape was visiting Australia for the annual PNG investment conference in Sydney, which Anthony Albanese attended.
The PNG leader made a misstep when colorful ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said rugby league would be a tool to repel Chinese influence.
“Rugby league is for the whole community; we get the kids to school, we bring all the people together like a connector,” Mr V’landys said on Tuesday.
“No matter how much China invests in PNG, it will never achieve this.
“You can never reach the heart, soul and brain of the PNG people – and we can do that in sport.”
Mr. Marape rushed in to confirm his support for critical Chinese investments in his country.
“I want to say a quick word or two, thank you very much to China and all our bilateral partners,” he interrupted.
Divisions at home and abroad are the last thing Mr Marape hopes for from the team’s historic entry into the NRL in 2028, saying he wants the Chiefs to be a “project of national unity”.
But Australia, which has spent $600 million on the team, is clearly hoping the Chiefs will provide diplomatic support to PNG at the expense of Beijing.
Mr Albanese hailed the Chiefs as an opportunity for education investment in the largely rural country.
“The prospect of (PNG children) representing the Chiefs in the NRL when they grow up will encourage education because they will need to be in school to play,” the Prime Minister said.
Under Mr Albanese, Australia has made major commitments to deepening the Torres-Torres relationship.
The latest Pukpuk agreement, which elevates PNG to Austalia’s third defense ally, will greatly increase defense cooperation.
Australia maintains high levels of development assistance, including climate finance, for its northern partner.
Mr Albanese said Australia was also investing hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure projects such as ports and highways designed to help diversify the traditionally resource-heavy PNG economy.
The PNG leader was not without his trademark rhetorical flourish and persuaded hundreds of companies in attendance with a significant offer.
Concluding his speech, the leader of the 135 billion kina economy said, “I will reduce corporate taxes when the economy reaches 200 billion kina ($71 billion).”
As for who will eventually coach the highly-anticipated NRL team, Mr V’landys ensured it will be an odd few days ahead for the Panthers’ multi-title-winning mentor Ivan Cleary.
“I’m going to say something controversial; the prime minister is in Penrith for a reason,” he said.
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