Four major Pacific rugby league playing countries have hailed the Pacific Rugby League Partnership announced in Brisbane on Wednesday night.
The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) signed a landmark Statement of Partnership with Pacific rugby league federations in the presence of the prime ministers of Australia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys AM signed the historic document alongside counterparts from the PNG Rugby Football League, Tonga Rugby League XIII and Rugby League Samoa.
There to witness the signing were PNG Prime Minister James Marape, Samoan Prime Minister Laʻaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt and Tongan Prime Minister Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua, who joined Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Left to right: Lord Fakafanua, Anthony Albanese, James Marape, Laʻaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt at the Suncorp Stadium, 8 July 2026.
Facebook / Anthony Albanese
Lord Fakafanua said Tonga is proud to be part of the AU$250 million (NZ$298m), 10-year Pacific Rugby League Partnership alongside the other Pacific Island nations backed by the Australian government and the Australia Rugby League.
“The Kingdom of Tonga is proud to be part of the new Pacific Rugby League Partnership, a landmark initiative that reflects our shared commitment to strengthening the future of our Pacific region,” he said.
“Sport has long united our Pacific nations, and rugby league continues to inspire generations of athletes across our region. Through this partnership, Tonga joins Australia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Samoa in creating new opportunities for emerging Pacific players to develop and succeed.
“Beyond the game, the Pacific Rugby League Partnership is an investment in our people. It will help expand access to education, skills development, and training, creating pathways that empower young Pacific Islanders and strengthen our communities for generations to come.”
La’auli told attendees at the signing that 50 percent of NRL players were of Pasifika heritage, including the likes of Jason Taumalolo, Stephen Crichton, Payne Haas and Jarome Luai.
“Investing in sport is also investing in stronger community, and more prosperity for our future and our region,” he said.
“Rugby league is more than a game, it is a source of national pride, the way we bring community together and a powerful platform to develop our young people and presentation for new opportunities.”
He said the partnership is a transformational investment in the future of Pacific youth.
“This strategic partnership is an investment in our people. It will strengthen grassroots sport, improve health and education outcomes, and create opportunities for young Samoans to develop their talents while remaining connected to their families, villages, and communities.
“Together, we are building stronger communities and inspiring the next generation.”
Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) board chairman Rajesh Singh, who was at the signing event with his vice-chairman Etika Rokobuli, described it as “a great day” for the sport.
He said the door is open for NRL and NRLW matches to be played in Pacific Island nations.
According to the NRL, the deal is supported by a $250m investment by the Australian government – a key part of the broader $600m commitment, which includes support for the entry of the PNG Chiefs into the NRL in 2028 – the partnership will grow rugby league across the Pacific.
Albanese said rugby league would be a catalyst for social change and deepening Australia-Pacific people-to-people and institutional links.
“From the proud island nations of the Pacific, to the suburbs and regions of Queensland and New South Wales, rugby league unites us and inspires us,” he said.
“The first signing for the PNG Chiefs, Jarome Luai is a powerful symbol of that: a premiership player, Origin winner and an Australian who takes pride in his Samoan heritage. The partnership we launch today celebrates these connections.
“Today, our Pacific family draws closer together. We bond around a shared love of this great game, a shared investment in our young people and their future and a shared commitment to the region we call home.
“This is a great day for rugby league, for all our nations and for the next generation.”
The Pacific Rugby League Partnership has three main pillars – community and grassroots, pathways and academies, and elite and international, with a strong focus on introducing young boys and girls to rugby league early.
Initiatives of the partnership include:
- Expanding existing youth engagement and violence prevention programs to reach more communities.
- Establishing primary and high school competitions in Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, supported by a network of teachers accredited as coaches.
- Setting up programs in each country to promote girls’ competitions.
- Building men’s and women’s national competitions across age groups.
- Continuing to deliver Pacific Championship matches and identify opportunities for NRL and NRLW matches to be played in the Pacific.
