Papua New Guinea, co-hosting the Rugby League World Cup with Australia and New Zealand, will see its capital, Port Moresby, host four matches this month. The island nation's profound passion for rugby league is set to be on full display.
The sport, introduced by Australian miners in the 1930s, has become a national obsession. Players like Edwin Ipape, who plays for Leigh Leopards in Super League, describe the emotional experience of playing in front of their home fans, where a 15,000-strong crowd can sound like twice that number.
Rugby league serves as a powerful symbol of unity in a country with over 800 languages and dialects. Elsie Albert, a prop for the PNG Orchids, joked that people in Papua New Guinea might not know their prime minister but know all the NRL players.
The fervour for the game can sometimes be intense, with past incidents requiring police intervention. However, it generally acts as a peacekeeper, bringing villages together to watch matches. Looking ahead, an NRL team, the PNG Chiefs, is scheduled to be based on the island from 2028, further cementing the sport's future in the nation.