"The NRL's 18th and 19th teams are taking different routes. Perth Bears enter in 2027 as a revamped foundation club sent west to conquer an AFL territory."
"The PNG Chiefs land in 2028 as a $600m Trojan horse from Australian taxpayers to curb China's influence in the South Pacific, a ploy Papua New Guinea prime minister James Marape calls a unification strategy."
"Despite decades of diplomacy in the region, rugby union receives just $12.5m every five years for development in Fiji, Tonga and Samoa via the PacificAus Sports scheme."
"The fact the $600m saw the existing 17 NRL clubs handed $3.5m each to off-set fears players would jump to the Chiefs for its tax-free contracts and sponsor deals also drew ire."
The NRL is expanding with the Perth Bears and PNG Chiefs, each taking different paths to entry. The Bears will re-emerge in 2027 as a revamped foundation club, while the Chiefs will debut in 2028, backed by a $600 million investment from Australian taxpayers. This funding aims to counter China's influence in the South Pacific, but has sparked criticism for its lack of consultation with other sports and smaller nations. True success in the NRL relies on strong leadership, club culture, and financial resources.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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