Papua New Guinea will kickstart their Rugby League World Cup campaign against Tonga this week, knowing a good showing will further strengthen their longstanding ambition to get their own NRL side.
The Kumuls head to St Helens on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT) amid a boom in interest about the introduction of a PNG-based side to the NRL.
While the country's Queensland Cup side, the PNG Hunters, have struggled since the start of the pandemic, the desire to establish a team in Australia's closest geographical neighbour has never been stronger.
The NRL would often have consigned the admission of a PNG side to the too-hard basket due to the lack of TV dollars on offer.
But the growing influence of China in the region means support from a government seeking to exert some soft power is likely to be forthcoming.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has discussed the matter with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo, and last week the PM's deputy Richard Marles told media in Port Moresby that "now is the time" for a PNG NRL side.
Telstra recently bought out the country's key telecommunications company Digicel in a sign of the growing closeness of the two nations.
Last month, leading NRL referee Ben Cummins took charge of PNG's grand final and the Australian government announced an extra $2.2million of investment into PNG's elite pathways prior to the Prime Minster's XIII game.
The hope is that money can find the next Justin Olam, the Melbourne centre who is one of the few players to emerge from PNG and make it to the NRL.
Former Canterbury chief executive Andrew Hill is fronting a group aiming to prepare a PNG team for 2028 entry but he says it's a "slow burn".
"It's about a long-term approach, investing in coaching and pathways for both the men's and women's game," he said.
"There are more Justin Olams out there, we just need to give them the opportunity at 15 or 16 to get the benefits Australian players enjoy."
Olam will play for the Kumuls against Tonga and his Storm teammate Xavier Coates is aware how important a strong showing could be for the league-mad nation could be.
"I reckon that one step forward (by getting to the semi-finals) could definitely push towards a PNG NRL side," Coates told AAP.
"All the boys from the Hunters and the domestic competition that are with us at the moment are really good players.
"I feel like if they are put on centre stage, they'll perform. It's a pretty interesting concept and hopefully it goes ahead."
