First, I was happy to hear Shane Rattenbury reject anti-Semitism – he might like to encourage his federal Green colleagues to do the same, for Australia’s sake.

Rugby league has billed itself in Australia as “the greatest game of all”.

As a young bloke, I found out early I was too clumsy to play Aussie Rules, and whilst a good hockey player, in Year 9, I joined my mates at Narrabundah High to play rugby (union) with Royals on Saturdays and rugby league with South Canberra on Sundays. In 1967, we won the daily double by winning the under-15 rugby grand final on Saturday, and then next day, the under-16 league grand final on the Sunday. 

Now, Papua New Guinea is the only country in the world that has rugby league as its national sport. It appears that the Kumuls – the PNG national team – could be admitted into the National Rugby League (NRL) in 2027. 

This is wonderful news. The only people who won’t be happy will be the Chinese Communist Party, as it furthers Australia’s benevolent influence in our nearest neighbour and the South Pacific generally.

The PNG citizens regard Canberra NRL legend (and current Australian coach) Mal Meninga as a living god. I bumped into Mal at Manuka the other day, and whilst being a bit disappointed to lose recently to New Zealand, Mal was certainly looking forward to helping the PNG team transition and get things squared away before joining the NRL.

The Kumuls are always beaten by the Kangaroos [the Australian national rugby league team], but often by not all that much, and they certainly match it with other South Pacific league sides. As most of the players in those national league sides play in the NRL, the Kumuls will hardly be disgraced in their first year, and should be quite competitive.

I think it would be a great idea if the Australian Rugby League Commission could spare Mal for a few months to go to PNG in 2026, and coach and prepare them for the NRL.

We are also lucky to have my very good mate and Canberra boy Alan Sullivan KC as an NRL commissioner. I spoke to Alan recently about the PNG side entering the NRL, and he tells me that he and the other commissioners are looking forward to it, and will do all they can to assist in working out the details (such as security, grounds, etc.). Indeed, I’d suggest to Albo (who, incidentally, has been quite helpful to date) to use our foreign aid to build the necessary infrastructure and support the Kumuls’ needs (such as a new stadium if necessary).

Alan (apart from being in the aforementioned successful South Canberra under-16s) is regarded as one of the best lawyers in Australia, has been chair of the NRL judiciary, and is, amongst other things, a member of the international Court of Arbitration for Sport. It is great to have him and Mal involved with the NRL in all this.

I look forward to going to PNG’s first game in Australia in 2027.