How US President Joe Biden cost New Zealand a second NRL team - with PNG set to be given the nod

A multi-billion dollar financial pledge from US President Joe Biden may have scuppered New Zealand's dreams of fielding a second NRL team - with Papua New Guinea set to enter the competition ahead of the 2027 season.

In April, President Biden signed off on a global $158billion war aid measure - with the agreement further strengthening relations between Australia and America.

Part of the deal reportedly includes $12.44billion in a bid to reduce growing communist Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific.

According to the New Zealand Herald, the financial commitment will guarantee a fulltime sporting franchise representing PNG will be granted entry into the NRL, as early as 2027.

New Zealand hoped to field a NRL team out of Christchurch, in direction competition with the Warriors, who are based in Auckland.

It also follows Prime Minister and Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'Landys meeting President Biden at the White House last October.

At the dinner, Biden told Albanese he was supportive of his plans to invest in sports as a diplomatic strategy to stave off growing Chinese ambition in the South Pacific.

Albanese also confirmed V'landys made an instant connection with Biden as the NRL looks to tap into the lucrative US sporting market.

In March, the NRL successfully staged a double header at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to kick-start the 2024 NRL season. 

'It was an incredible trip,' Albanese said at the time. 

'It was great to have Peter along, too. I made sure he got a good moment to talk with Joe.

'To go to the White House was fantastic and a great honour to represent Australia.'

V’Landys is understood to have left Washington and immediately fast-tracked PNG as the 18th NRL franchise, armed with $6.59million in guaranteed funding from the Australian Government.