Prime Minister Hon. James Marape today announced that Papua New Guinea's National Rugby League (NRL) team will be officially known as the PNG Chiefs, describing the name as a powerful reflection of the country's deep cultural roots, ancient governance systems, and enduring unity.
"We are a nation of a thousand tribes," Prime Minister Marape said. "Before there was a modern state called Papua New Guinea in 1975, our people lived for thousands of years under tribal structures led by chiefs - both men and women - who governed, protected, and held our communities together."
The Prime Minister noted that in regions such as Milne Bay, Bougainville, New Ireland, and East New Britain, women were traditionally chiefs or clan heads under matrilineal systems, while in other areas, male chiefs led patrilineal clans. In many communities, authority was balanced - men acted as public chiefs, while women were the custodians of land, lineage, and clan identity, exercising decisive influence over leadership and resource inheritance.
"The name Chiefs depicts our authentic cultural history," he said. "It tells the story of how our ancient tribal systems - diverse and sovereign in their own right - fused into one sovereignty in 1975. That fusion was an amazing miracle, forming one democracy, one people, one nation - and now, one team."
Papua New Guinea is the only country in the world where rugby league is the national sport - a game that unites the nation across more than 800 languages and 1,000 tribes. The establishment of a PNG-based NRL franchise marks a historic milestone in the country's sporting and national journey.
For years, the PNG Government, through the PNG NRL Bid Board, has worked closely with the Australian Government, the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), and the NRL to secure the nation's inclusion in the world's premier rugby league competition. The PNG NRL team, expected to enter the competition in 2028, will be based in Port Moresby but carry a truly national identity, drawing players from all provinces.
The team will build on the success of the PNG Hunters, who have competed in Australia's Queensland Cup (Hostplus Cup) since 2014 and won the championship in 2017 - a landmark victory that proved Papua New Guinea's capability to compete at a professional level.
Prime Minister Marape said the PNG Chiefs' inclusion in the NRL was not only a sporting achievement but also a nation-building milestone, symbolising Papua New Guinea's growing partnership with Australia and the Pacific region.
"Our Chiefs will represent the unity and pride of our nation on the world stage," he said. "Every game they play will showcase the strength, resilience, and talent of our people. This is more than sport - it is nationhood expressed through rugby league."
He added that each time the PNG Chiefs - men's or women's - take the field, they will embody the collective strength of all Papua New Guineans.
"Every time the 17 players step onto the field, they carry the spirit of our thousand tribes, our chiefs, our languages, and our cultures," he said. "This one team should work to hold our one people, one country, and one nation together - just as our chiefs did for generations."
Prime Minister Marape said the PNG Chiefs name is a fitting emblem as the country celebrates 50 years of Independence in 2025, representing both the past and future of leadership in Papua New Guinea.
"Our forefathers and mothers were chiefs who kept order, peace, and balance among our tribes. As we play on the world stage, the PNG Chiefs will carry that same spirit - the strength of unity in diversity."
The Prime Minister also acknowledged the Australian Government and NRL leadership for their steadfast partnership in making Papua New Guinea's NRL dream a reality. He thanked Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his commitment to strengthening people-to-people ties through sports diplomacy and supporting Papua New Guinea's bid as part of the broader Australia-Pacific sports partnership.
He also recognised ARLC Chairman Peter V'landys and NRL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Abdo for their confidence in PNG's rugby league culture, talent, and national passion for the sport.
"Prime Minister Albanese's support has been instrumental," Marape said. "Our inclusion in the NRL reflects not just a sporting partnership, but a deep bond between our two nations. I thank him, Mr V'landys and Mr Abdo for believing in Papua New Guinea and our potential to contribute meaningfully to the NRL family."
"The PNG Chiefs will be a unifying symbol of Pacific strength, friendship, and shared values - a reflection of how sport continues to build bridges between peoples and nations."
