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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has indicated Papua New Guinea is a step closer to entering a team in the NRL.
The Daily Telegraph reported on Wednesday the federal government had reached an in-principle agreement with the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) for PNG to be home to the NRL's 19th team.
The report suggested the PNG team would join the NRL in 2028 following the potential entry of the Perth-based Western Bears 12 months earlier.
The ARLC has not confirmed PNG has secured an NRL team, but an announcement about its expansion plans is expected following next month's grand final.
"We're just working through, still, the final details of that (in-principle agreement)," Mr Albanese told ABC Radio Brisbane.
Mr Albanese says there is no country more passionate than PNG when it comes to rugby league. (ABC News: Tim Swanston)
"I've been a strong advocate for PNG to have a team in the National Rugby League (NRL)."
The federal government has been supportive of a PNG team in the NRL for some time.
Mr Albanese said PNG deserved to join the NRL given the fanatical support rugby league enjoyed in the country.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his PNG counterpart James Marape. ( ABC News: Nick Haggarty )
"There is no country on earth that is more passionate, including Australia, than PNG when it comes to rugby league," he said.
If PNG joins the NRL, it will become the second overseas country to be included in the competition.
New Zealand's Warriors franchise has been playing in the Australian top-flight competition since 1995.