NRL: PNG players' NRL dreams thwarted

Australian immigration laws are denying Papua New Guinea league players their dream to play in the NRL while others turn to Britain as it's easier to gain entry.

Several of PNG's top players cannot play in the NRL or run with feeder clubs because tough visa restrictions require large cash bonds to guarantee compliance with the law.

Kumuls centre Jesse Parker is the latest PNG player to claim visa restrictions are stopping him trialling at an NRL club, St George Illawarra.

PNG league chairman Albert Veratau said visa restrictions had denied at least 10 of the country's top players access to play in Australia.

"It's quite a huge problem for us," Veratau said. "Hopefully in the future things will be a little bit better but unfortunately we have players now ready for NRL or feeder clubs. PNG has talent that needs to be developed.

"Sadly but understandably, NRL clubs can't commit or gamble large sums of money for players to pass the visa requirements.

"Feeder clubs that show interest, like Cairns' Northern Pride, just don't have the money."

Veratau said PNG players were looking at English clubs because entry into Britain was easier. "Kumuls Michael Marks and Charlie Wabo went to the UK and are playing in a second-tier competition," he said.

"They weren't able to get into Australia because they needed to be on something like a minimum of A$40,000 [$50,240] salary. I have raised the problem a number of times with the Australian Rugby League but it's a Government position."

During Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's 2008 PNG trip he said one of the strongest links between the two countries was league.

Rudd gave A$260,000 to PNG league for facilities and equipment like boots, jumpers and shorts.

PNG's business, sporting and political elite are also pushing for a PNG-based team entering the NRL by 2012.

- AAP