NRL clubs are spending their Papua New Guinea money quickly in case the expansion team fails to get off the ground.

The belief they need to spend now is the conversation that is being had at NRL clubs behind closed doors as they spend the federal government’s cash. The Albanese government has committed $600 million to help fund the team and rugby league in the region as a form of soft diplomacy to counteract the growing influence of China.

Of that funding, about $60 million will be paid directly to the NRL as a licence fee, which is being shared between the existing 17 clubs.

The new team has already lost chief executive Andrew Hill. He could be replaced by former Rabbitohs chief operating officer Brock Schaefer.

The NRL is not devastated about Hill’s departure to join the Panthers Group as chief executive. His loss points to a lack of stability, though, and there are fears the club is already behind schedule to join the competition in 2028.

Clubs are talking privately about the $1.75 million they have been gifted by the NRL as part of the expansion agreement. They will receive another $1 million before April next year, and pocket $4 million in total in five payments by April 2029.

Dark clouds are already hovering over the NRL’s proposed 19th team in PNG.Credit: Getty Images

What makes it very interesting is that this is taxpayers’ money. The NRL must be ultra-confident that the Papua New Guinea team will get off the ground because clubs have already started spending their grants.

There are whispers throughout the game that the PNG team will be delayed, or may not even happen at all. The NRL say the team will start on schedule in 2028

The big concern is, what happens if the team doesn’t take off? Do NRL clubs have to pay back the money, or is that the responsibility of the NRL?

Perhaps the real anger will come from taxpayers who are giving money to NRL teams over a project that may not get off the ground.

The funding promise is based on China not gaining a foothold in PNG. It has been reported that Australia can withdraw the funding at any time and without cause. But the whole idea of a team in PNG does not sit comfortably with many people in and around the game. A rugby league side being a political pawn is difficult to stomach.

Papua New Guinea prime minister James Marape (left) and Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese announce a PNG rugby league team in December.Credit: Kate Geraghty

But the clubs are primarily concerned with their own bank balances and survival.

And here’s another fact to consider when it comes to PNG: the lure of tax-free income has been dangled in front of players and staff. We have been told it has been rubber-stamped by the Australian government. And the NRL also says players and staff won’t pay tax on property they have in Australia that could have been considered investment properties because players had moved to PNG and were no longer living in them.

The NRL says it is confident the PNG franchise will be a success.

There are growing concerns about Mal Meninga’s judgment and ability to be the head coach of the Perth........

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