The Rhinos star believes his nation should have a team in the NRL
Leeds Rhinos star Rhyse Martin has passionately endorsed a proposal for a Papua New Guinea team in the NRL. Martin believes the team could significantly elevate the national side's competitive edge by affording more players the opportunity to perform at the pinnacle of the sport.
With growing speculation surrounding the NRL's expansion after the 2023 emergence of "The Dolphins," the Southern Hemisphere's premier competition could be poised for even more transformation. PNG Hunters currently compete in the Hostplus Queensland Cup, and Martin believes that groundwork could be the catalyst for a bigger move next year.
Hailing from a nation brimming with rugby league pride, Martin predicts the introduction of a PNG NRL team as a monumental stride forward, benefiting both the Kumuls and the entire nation. "Bringing in a PNG NRL team would be amazing for everyone," said Martin. "The country has been wanting something like that for a long time, and what it does is give more children and people in Papua New Guinea a greater goal of something to achieve or something to aspire to.
"It's exciting times for the Kumuls, and I think that's a credit to the Hunters. A lot of our players have played for the Hunters and moved along to other teams. They're all over the world now. so the Hunters are doing a great job, and it is just giving the boys that are homegrown here more experience and exposure to go out and play everywhere.
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