The NRL is reportedly on the brink of announcing a PNG team will join the competition in a landmark move for the game.

Long-discussed plans for a PNG franchise, backed by $600 million in funding from the Australian government that includes money for grassroots development, will reportedly be confirmed as soon as next month.

“I can tell you this morning that that announcement is nearly upon us,” 2GB’s Ben Fordham claimed.

“The plan was to announce it as an anniversary present for the people of Papua New Guinea, because on the 16th of September it’s the 49th anniversary of the country’s independence.

“However, they’re now looking at bringing that announcement forward to an earlier date and they’re now getting ready to make it an early anniversary present for Papua New Guinea.

“The announcement is now set to happen next month, in August, and don’t be shocked if the announcement comes as we soak up the excitement of the Olympic Games (which run until August 11). It is going to happen.”

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Brent Read wrote in The Daily Telegraph that PNG is aiming to join the competition in 2028, but powerbrokers in the bid claim they will be ready for 2027 – with the final decision resting in the NRL’s hands.

The NRL is planning to announce its long-term expansion strategy in September, with the Perth Bears another frontrunner to join the competition, while a second NZ team has also been mooted.

Read reported that either the Bears or PNG would likely enter the competition in 2027, with the other set to follow one or two seasons afterwards.

The Australian government’s funding is a strong attempt to strengthen ties with neighbours and stave off growing Chinese influence in the Pacific region, with funding for grassroots and player pathways expected to flow to other nations in the area.

Wapu Sonk, the head of the PNG bid, told The Daily Telegraph: “It’s imminent. We are tying up the loose ends now to formalise it. It’s getting near, it’s becoming a reality.”

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He added: “We won’t be like other NRL clubs in Australia, who have their own regions. We are a country with a population of more than ten million people. Companies are queuing up to support the bid and team.

“At a minimum, we could get a million members. We will break every criteria the NRL uses, it’s crazy. Everything will be five, ten-fold. The NRL will realise it will be a very good investment.”