Rugby league was first played in Papua New Guinea in the late forties; it was introduced to the nation by Australian soldiers stationed there during and after the Second World War. It is now regarded as the country’s national sport. The national side are known as the Kumuls.
They first entered the Rugby League World Cup for the 1985-89 competition, though it was not until 1995 that they were able to win away from home.
Many Papua New Guinean players have left the country in order to pursue professional rugby league careers in Great Britain and Australia.