Plans for a secret multi-billion dollar Chinese port in Papua New Guinea will ensure the island nation gets the nod as the NRL’s 18th franchise.
Wide World of Sports has learned that the Australian federal government is desperate for the proposed port not to go ahead – for reasons of both national security and trade.
As a result, the Australian government is offering PNG its greatest wish – an NRL team to call its own – if it says ‘no’ to China.
That’s the reason the Albanese government has offered PNG a staggering $600 million of funding over the next 10 years to help support the proposed team.
“It’s nothing about what is best for the NRL – it comes down to the perceived threat of the Chinese on our doorstep,” an insider involved in the PNG bid told WWOS.
“The likes of Perth and Central Coast Bears won’t get a look-in as a result – the decision has all but been made.”
Because of the recent unrest in PNG, the team will be based in the north Queensland city of Cairns, but will play its home matches in Port Moresby.
Papua New Guinea is the only country that calls league its national sport – but the secret reasons behind its bid and the massive Australian government funding are certain to upset rival bidders for the 18th franchise, which is expected to be formally endorsed later this year.
Shock report to rock NRL
A study by English academics has labelled playing rugby league in school as a form of child abuse.
In a shock report that is certain to rock the NRL, professors at three separate universities at Winchester, Nottingham Trent and Bournemouth, described both league and union as contrary to child abuse laws because of the risk of serious injury.
The academics declared that neither children nor their parents are legally able to give consent to play the high impact sports and that sporting organisations have groomed participants and their carers to accept brain injuries as ‘part of the game’.
“Sports for children should not intentionally harm their brains”, the paper concluded, adding that there is a greater risk of developing diseases like dementia or Parkinson’s when people get head knocks early in life.
The report will soon be published in the UK’s ‘Sports, Ethics & Philosophy: Journal of the British Philosophy of Sport Association’ and is certain to send shock waves through both rugby codes.
Code war lands Warriors a rising star
The Warriors have picked up a gun fullback from the Kiwi rugby union ranks.
Nehemiah Gordon, a 20-year-old speedster, also attracted some interest from the Storm but opted for the Warriors to enable him to finish his psychology degree at university in New Zealand.
Gordon was placed on a train and trial deal with the Warriors but soon won a contract after impressing in the club’s Jersey Flegg team.
“Nehemiah’s strong work ethic, skills and his coachable attitude impressed the Warriors,” his manager Adrian Lepou told Wide World of Sports.
“He knows there is plenty of hard work ahead of him but knows this is a great opportunity.”
Souths legend makes playing return
Former Souths and Kiwi skipper Roy Asotasi is set to make a shock return to the playing field – with Coogee Dolphins in the Rabbitohs’ junior league.
The 42-year-old Asotasi is one of the most respected front-rowers of the modern era, chalking over 200 NRL games with Canterbury and then Souths.
He began his career at Belmore way back in 2002 before switching to Souths in 2007, staying until 2013 and then finishing his top grade career with two years at English club Warrington.
Asotasi has kept his body in great shape and will also work in an off-field capacity for the club mentoring young players.
“Roy will be working with out elite players to help them break into junior representative and NRL pathways teams, and will also be playing A-grade for the mighty Coogee Dolphins,” a club statement read.
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