Queensland Rugby League and PNGRFL

The Queensland Rugby League (QRL) is the governing body for rugby league in Queensland. It is responsible for the administration and management of all state-based activities including the Intrust Super Cup and community league competitions across the state. It also manages both the women’s and men’s Queensland State of Origin teams.
 
QRL is committed to increasing participation numbers for both male and female players, from junior to elite levels, and to providing sustainable development pathways for players, coaches and administrators.
 
The PNGRFL oversees the game of rugby league in Papua New Guinea (PNG). It oversees the national senior and schools competitions, and is responsible for the women’s and men’s national teams. It is the home of the PNG Hunters, a professional rugby league team that competes in Queensland’s Intrust Super Cup.

After being introduced to the country in the 1940s, rugby league quickly became the national sport in PNG. Local heroes and national men’s team, the PNG Kumuls, regularly compete overseas and have participated in the Rugby League World Cup since 1985. In 2017, PNG co-hosted the Rugby League World Cup with Australia and New Zealand, making it to the quarter finals before being knocked out by England.

In 2017, the national women’s team, the PNG Orchids competed in their first ever international rugby league match against Australia in Port Moresby, losing 42-4. However, they rebounded quickly to record their first ever victory over England in 2019, winning 20-16. The Orchids also recorded another first in 2019 when they became the first Pacific side to receive the same payment as their male counterparts at the Rugby League World Cup Nines in Sydney.

Our partnership with PacificAus Sports

With the support of QRL, the PNG Hunters have played in the Intrust Super Cup since 2014. In 2017, the team won the championship.