Chiefs to unify PNG: Name of new NRL team announced

"Go the Chiefs!"

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape, who has been labelled the "chief Chief", used the catchcry when he attended a board meeting of the PNG NRL franchise seeking endorsement for the name of the new team.

The Prime Minister, who revealed that he had initially wanted the team to be knowns as the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, concluded a press conference after Sunday's Prime Minister's XIII games against Australia with another show of support. 

"Go PNG. Go the Chiefs," he proudly said.

The name was chosen because of its cultural significance for both men and women in traditional Papua New Guinean society and it was clear at a packed Santos National Stadium that "Chiefs" resonated with fans.

"Today's announcement of the name of our team is an important step in the fitting together the jigsaw to have a run-on team for Round 1, 2028," Prime Minister Marape said.

"Before 1975, our societies were thousands of years old and governed by Chiefs in our patrilineal, as well as matrilineal societies.

"We felt that there is an authentic affinity to the name, depicting who we are from ancient times, and today the intention of this team is to hold this diverse nation together."

Prime Minister Marape announced the name to the capacity crowd at Santos National Stadium for the annual Prime Minister’s XIII matches between Australia and Papua New Guinea.

A logo and the colours for the new team are yet to be determined.

The selection of the Chiefs name was a joint decision by the governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia, with the Australian Rugby League Commission, following a public naming competition, which yielded more than 20,000 submissions.

The name was publicly unveiled before kick-off in the men's Prime Minister's XIII match. A video played on the big screen counted down to the announcement and the Chiefs name was revealed.

The Prime Minister said Chiefs had particular appeal for the PNG team as the term Chief can be equally applied to a male or female leader in Papua New Guinea.

The PNG Chiefs also intend to field an NRLW side and has established a series of girls academy teams around the country. 

Prime Minister Marape said the PNG Chiefs name was a fitting emblem as the country celebrates 50 years of Independence in 2025, representing both the past and future of leadership in Papua New Guinea.

“Our forefathers and mothers were chiefs who kept order, peace, and balance among our tribes," he said. "As we play on the world stage, the PNG Chiefs will carry that same spirit — the strength of unity in diversity.”

Prime Minister Marape earlier advised a meeting of the PNG NRL Franchise Board of the choice, and directors voted unanimously for the team to be named the Papua New Guinea Chiefs.

He said two names had been shortlisted - Pythons and Chiefs - with his preference, Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, in honour of the World War II heroes who helped Australian soldiers along the Kokoda Track - finishing 12th in a public vote. 

“Everyone felt that Chiefs was more appropriate on the basis that we are a sovereign nation of many tribes; over 850 languages and 1000 tribes. Before there was a Prime Minister, and a King or Queen in England, the sovereign head within the tribe was the Chief,” Prime Minister Marape told the board meeting.

“In our country, about 30 per cent are matrilineal, so it fits in well when girls run on as Chiefs because there is a traditional context in our history.

“In East New Britain, Milne Bay, Bougainville and New Ireland, women are also chiefs. They hold land rights, they make the final decisions.

“The name just blends in well with the authenticity of where we came from as a nation of so many tribes, united into one nation in 1975 and gifted by Australia. It has a strong meaning to our authentic identity.”

PNG's campaign for an NRL team began in 2008 and finally came to fruition when Prime Minister Marape and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced last December that the nation would join the competition in 2028.

PNG NRL Bid Chairman Ray Dib formally proposed the team adopt the Chiefs name, with Kumuls legend Marcus Bai moving the motion and fellow director Richard Pegum seconding it. The motion was passed unanimously.