The World Cup co-hosts where rugby league is a national obsession

Rugby league serves as a powerful symbol of unity and national obsession in Papua New Guinea, where the men's national team, the Kumuls, and the women's team, the Orchids, inspire hope across the country. Co-hosting the Rugby League World Cup alongside Australia and New Zealand, PNG is preparing to stage four matches at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby, where local supporters are renowned for creating an intense, deafening atmosphere.

The sport has evolved from its introduction by Australian miners in the 1930s to offering global professional sporting careers for stars such as Edwin Ipape and Elsie Albert. Beyond providing pathways to competitions like the NRL and the Super League, rugby league also continues to challenge cultural norms through the rising success and visibility of the Orchids.