A shared long-standing partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia since 1975 still continues through the announcement of PNG becoming the NRL 18th team last year, with Prime Minister James Marape announcing today the inaugural PNG franchise Board. MP Marape announced that the board consists of a total seven experienced and well-versed members including former Kumuls star and NRL premiere ship winner Marcus Bai, Former Bulldogs Administrator Digicel PNG's Vice-President Lorna McPherson and five other members. Meanwhile, Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy states that the PNG team has been talked through for decades and is finally here. He said, no other country is more deserving to have an NRL team than Papua New Guinea with the kind of support and love it has for rugby league. Prime Minister Marape further made announcement of the first order of business for the Board which would be to officially launch a PNG NRL team name and theme song competition. More updates to come on this story...