Prime Minister James Marape before kickoff of the Prime Ministers XIII match this afternoon at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby city, announced the official name of the PNG NRL team that will enter the Australian NRL in 2028.

Prime Minister Marape announced that the team will officially be known as the “PNG Chiefs”, 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 stated.

“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.”

Marape said the name Chiefs depicts Papua New Guinea’s (PNG’s) authentic cultural history.

“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.”

PNG 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.

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.