Overview

• Prime Minister James Marape unveiled the Papua New Guinea Chiefs before the Prime Minister’s XIII match in Port Moresby.
• The decision followed sign-off from the PNG and Australian governments, the ARL Commission, and the franchise board, with chairman Ray Dib’s motion supported by board member Marcus Bai.
• The team will be based in Port Moresby, with Santos National Football Stadium earmarked as the home venue.
• The name emerged from a public competition that drew more than 20,000 submissions, with a final shortlist of Pythons and Chiefs.
• Reporting links the project to a proposed $600 million Australia–PNG sports diplomacy initiative, with further operational details still to come.