Papua New Guinea: How the Kumuls and Orchids Inspire Hope for a Nation
BBC Sport
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Sport Insight
The World Cup co-hosts where rugby league is a national obsession
Published 19 minutes ago
Image source: SWPix
By Matt Newsum, BBC Sport Rugby League journalist
"Back home when we play in front of our own fans, just to see the fans, the crowd get behind us, singing the national anthem... it makes me cry every time." - Edwin Ipape
In Papua New Guinea, the Kumuls, the national rugby league team, and the Orchids, the women's side, are powerful symbols of unity in a land of diverse languages and tribal identities. Children are so passionate about the game that they will fashion balls out of anything and run alongside the team bus to catch a glimpse of their heroes.
The national game is a source of immense pride, with players like Elsie Albert, a prop for both PNG's women's side and the Parramatta Eels in Australia's NRL Women's Premiership, reflecting on the sport's deep-rooted place in the country's culture.
How did rugby league become so popular in Papua New Guinea?
The game's roots trace back to the 1930s when Australian miners introduced it to the local population. The physicality of rugby league resonated with the Papuans, who had a history of battle without a ball. Today, PNG's fans are among the most knowledgeable and passionate, with only the Cook Islands claiming a similar level of obsession.
However, this passion sometimes leads to violent crowds, prompting authorities to intervene. In the past, tear gas was used to control over-excited fans, but generally, rugby league is a source of hope and unity for a nation.