Rugby league in Papua New Guinea | |
---|---|
Country | Papua New Guinea |
Governing body | Papua New Guinea National Rugby League |
National team(s) | Papua New Guinea |
Nickname(s) | the Kumuls |
First played | 1930s |
Registered players | 15,000 (total)[1] 10,000 (adult), 5,000 (junior) |
Clubs | 280 |
National competitions | |
Club competitions | |
Audience records | |
Single match | 20,000+ 2010 Goroka Lahanis v Mendi Muruks 21–10 |
Rugby league is a popular team sport in Papua New Guinea and the country's national sport.[2][3] Papua New Guineans have a reputation as being some of the world's most passionate rugby league supporters.[4]
But it would still be one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history if Papua New Guinea – the only country to have rugby league as its national sport – were to qualify for the last four.