Prime Minister James Marape has officially announced the name of Papua New Guinea’s newest NRL franchise: the PNG Chiefs.
The historic unveiling took place at the Santos National Football Stadium ahead of the highly anticipated PM’s XIII Men’s match, drawing thousands of rugby league fans eager to witness the announcement.
The name “PNG Chiefs” was chosen to reflect strength, leadership, unity, and national pride, embodying the country’s rich cultural heritage and the resilience of its people both on and off the field.
“This marks a defining moment in PNG’s sporting history,” Marape said. “As the only nation where rugby league is truly the national sport, the PNG Chiefs will proudly carry our values, culture, and competitive spirit into the world’s premier rugby league competition.”
The launch of the franchise represents not only a milestone for sports in Papua New Guinea but also a step towards greater international recognition of the nation’s rugby league talent and passion.