High-profile NRL figure 'prepared to move to PNG' as Mal Meninga makes call on coaching team
The NRL's newest team have to decided on a name, coach and potential players.
Jason Demetriou's manager has revealed he's "willing to move to PNG" if he becomes the coach of the NRL's newest franchise, while Mal Meninga hasn't ruled out the possibility of joining. The new PNG team was officially announced on Thursday, and will come into the NRL competition in 2028.
The franchise must now decide on a name for the team and appoint a coach, as well as identifying the players who'd be willing to move to Port Moresby. The most obvious candidate to coach the team is Demetriou, who has NRL coaching experience with South Sydney and currently coaches the PNG Kumuls national team.
And according to Wide World of Sports, Demetriou has already set about "working behind the scenes" and identifying what needs to be addressed in PNG to help pathways and junior development. And crucially, Demetriou is willing to live in PNG.
Demetriou's manager Chris Orr told Wide World of Sports: "Jason is the perfect candidate for head coach and no one knows more about the game in PNG. He already has an intimate knowledge of the players in the national team and a good relationship with them.
"He has also done a report on what needs to be done in the Cyril Connell and Mal Meninga Cup teams to ensure the young players are properly prepared when the time comes. He is committed to the game in PNG and prepared to move up there. He knows there is a lot of work to be done but he is super invested in making the team successful."
Jason Demetriou keen to keep growing game in PNG
Coaches and players who sign up for the PNG team will live in a secure 'gated community' in Port Moresby and won't have to pay any tax. The 48-year-old old Demetriou led the Rabbitohs from 2022 to 2024 before he was sacked earlier this season.
Speaking last week, he was coy on whether he'd be keen to take the reigns of the NRL's newest team, but spruiked the opportunity that comes with a PNG team. "It's going to open the door for PNG rugby league to continue its growth," he AAP. "They'll sell out that stadium. They'll probably have to increase the capacity because they'll sell that out every week. It'll be a huge milestone for PNG rugby league."
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There have only been a handful of players from the semi-professional local competition in PNG to make the NRL or English Super League, including Justin Olam, Rodrick Tai and Sylvester Namo. But Demetriou believes the creation of a PNG team in the NRL gives young players a clearer path.
"(PNG) is the biggest talent pool that the game can expand to without a doubt," Demetriou said. "It's going to have a huge impact on the Digicel Cup over there, which for me is a fantastic competition and can grow and arguably be as strong as NSW or Queensland Cup. I truly believe that within two or three years that competition will be as strong as both of those competitions and you'll have 12 teams feeding into one NRL side."
Mal Meninga leaves door ajar to become PNG team coach
Meanwhile, Meninga stated on Friday he has no intentions of stepping down from his role as Kangaroos coach anytime soon, but is more than happy to help out the PNG team if the opportunity presents. Meninga has spent plenty of years in PNG coaching in the annual Prime Minister’s XIII clash, and didn't rule out one day coaching the NRL team if asked.
“I love the game. I don’t know about coaching, but I love what I’m doing now in the international space and I’m really committed to that,” he said. “You never say no to anything, but if I can help the game out in some way, then I’m always willing to do that.”
The rugby league Immortal said he’s adamant the PNG team will be a success if they get the next few years right.
“I don’t think it’s an experiment,” he said at the Golden Boot award ceremony at Rugby League Central. “The game has made a really thoughtful decision around our game’s future and the impact Papua New Guinea can have in the NRL.
“It’s already pretty impactful. We understand how passionate they are and how much they love our game. They’ve been working behind the scenes the past couple of years around getting the development systems right and educating the players up there about the game. I think it’s a very thoughtful decision, and leaving it until 2028 will give them plenty of time and space to develop the game.”
with agencies
