PNG PM James Marape NRL steps in after NRL chief Peter V’landys says code is unity force against China

In the PNG Chiefs, James Marape sees a “national unity project” akin to South Africa’s Rainbow Nation Rugby World Cup win in 1995.

The Papua New Guinea prime minister hopes the incoming NRL team will get kids in school and companies investing in the economy, transforming his nation.

“Sport has more unification than any other pursuit of life,” Mr Marape said in Sydney on Tuesday.

“Look at the Nelson Mandela strategy using rugby union to unite South Africa ... we find common unity behind a team.”

Mr Marape was visiting Australia for an annual PNG investment conference in Sydney, also attended by Anthony Albanese.

The PNG leader was wrong-footed by a goosestep from colourful ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys, who said rugby league would be a tool to repel Chinese influence.

“Having rugby league there for the community as a whole - taking the kids to school, bringing all the people together like a glue,” Mr V’landys said on Tuesday.

“No matter how much investment China makes in PNG, it can never achieve that.

“You can never achieve the heart and soul and brain of the PNG person - and we can in sport.”

Mr Marape hurriedly stepped in to affirm support for critical Chinese investment in his country.

“I want to quickly say a word or two, a big thank you to China and all our bilateral partners,” he interrupted.

Divisions at home and abroad are the last thing Mr Marape is hoping for from the team’s historic entry into the NRL in 2028, saying he wants the Chiefs to be a “national unity project”.

However, it’s plain that Australia - which is spending $600 million on the team - hopes the Chiefs will give a diplomatic boost with PNG at Beijing’s expense.

Mr Albanese hailed the Chiefs as an opportunity for education investment across the largely rural nation.

“Prospects of representing the Chiefs in the NRL when (PNG kids) grow up will encourage education, because (they will) have to be at school to play,” the prime minister said.

Under Mr Albanese, Australia has made vast commitments to deepening the trans-Torres relationship.

The recent Pukpuk treaty, which elevates PNG to Austalia’s third defence ally, will drastically increase defence co-operation.

Australia maintains a high level of development aid for its northern partner, which includes climate financing.

Australia was also investing hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure projects such as ports and highways designed to help diversify the traditionally resources-heavy PNG economy, Mr Albanese said.

The PNG leader wasn’t short of a rhetorical flourish of his own though, enticing the hundreds of companies in attendance with a substantial offer.

“When the economy hits 200 billion kina ($A71 billion), I will drop corporate tax,” the leader of the 135 billion kina economy said to wrap up his speech.

As to who would eventually coach the much-anticipated NRL team, Mr V’landys ensured Panthers multi-premiership-winning mentor Ivan Cleary would have an awkward few days ahead.

“I’ll say something controversial - there’s a reason why the prime minister was at Penrith,” he said.