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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says taking a State of Origin game to the Pacific Islands would be «a very welcome initiative», following discussions with the NRL about how best to involve Australia’s Pacific neighbours.
As part of the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji, Mr Albanese hosted a dinner for Pacific leaders on Wednesday night, which included a viewing of the third Origin match.
During the game, Mr Albanese sat with newly re-elected Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape, who detailed the country’s love of rugby league, and particularly the State of Origin.
«He said it’s the one time in PNG that everything stops. Everything stops through the entire country,» Mr Albanese said.
«They are very passionate and it would be a great thing for such an event (as Origin) to occur (in the Pacific).»
Origin games have traditionally taken place in Brisbane and Sydney, with occasional trips to Melbourne beginning in 1990.
But in recent years, the NRL has committed to taking Origin on the road with regularity.Since 2018 at least one city outside of Brisbane and Sydney has hosted a game.
The NRL have already announced Origin fixtures in Adelaide (2023) and Melbourne (2024 and 2026) in coming years but are yet to determine the neutral venue for Turnkey Sportsbook Software the 2025 series.
Another option could be taking an exhibition Origin match to the Pacific, similar to that played in Los Angeles in 1987.
Mr Albanese’s comments also come amid PNG’s bid to bring the NRL’s 18th licence to the Pacific.
While the league has not yet set a time frame for granting that licence, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo previously said the introduction of the Dolphins next season was a «natural stepping stone» for including an 18th team.
«I’ve had discussions with the NRL, very directly, and I have spoken to (Australian Rugby League chair) Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo about the Pacific’s engagement with rugby league,» Mr Albanese said.
«It would be a good thing if we gave consideration about how you get a Pacific team, a team with connections to PNG, Tonga, Samoa.»
The prime minister said increasing the Pacific’s involvement in Australian rugby league would strengthen ties with the region, which have been in the spotlight since the Solomon Islands signed a security deal with China in April.
«It’s the number one sport (in the Pacific),» Mr Albanese said.
«In terms of the engagement, people to people relations, these things are important.
«The event last night hosted by the Australian government was attended by I think eight heads of countries.
«If you think about the events in which you get prime ministers and presidents of eight countries to come to an event with Australia, that’s a good thing.»