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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Daniel Hurst and Rebecca Kuku

‘Now is the time’: Richard Marles has met NRL to push for Papua New Guinea team

PNG player grimaces as he is met heavily by opponent
Papua New Guinea's McKenzie Yei is tackled during a match against Australia PM’s XIII. Richard Marles says he has spoken with the NRL about admitting a team from PNG. Photograph: Patrick Hamilton/AFP/Getty Images

Australia’s deputy prime minister has held talks with National Rugby League officials to push the case for a Papua New Guinea team, declaring “now is the time” to expand the competition.

Richard Marles, visiting PNG in his capacity as defence minister, said on Thursday that he had “personally spoken with the NRL a number of times about this”.

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