Has Papua New Guinea made the "Big Time"

via their inclusion in the Four Nations?

By Rich Cowley (Rugby League Planet) 25/6/2010

Later this year Papua New Guinea will have an opportunity to show the rugby league world that they have what it takes to play against the best. The Four Nations is the perfect platform for the Kumuls to measure how far they have progressed since their super pool heroics in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. Papua New Guinea's performance in the tournament could also have a big impact on their buildup to the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

It was a brave step by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) to move away from the safety of the Tri-Nations series and expand it to a Four Nations tournament. The Tri-Nations tournament had been highly successful but had not really assisted in developing other nations at the international level.

The inaugural 2009 Four Nations saw France join England, Australia and New Zealand at the top level. The French did the tournament justice via gutsy performances on the field and also confirmed that the inclusion of the Catalans Dragons in the Super League has had a positive impact and provided France with a core group of professional players to build a competitive international team around.

Papua New Guinea will be relying on a majority of players from their local SP Cup competition with a handful of professionals coming in from Australia and the UK. Papua New Guinea won't have the luxury of falling back on their own NRL team as it is still years away. They proved a handful in the 2008 Would Cup so there would be no reason why they couldn't do the same in 2010.

Their inclusion in the Four Nations could also be the catalyst for NRL and Super League clubs to pick up some PNG players if they perform well. This is all the more reason why the Kumuls need to show they have improved since 2008. If some of the players do get drafted into overseas based league competitions it will be a huge shot in the arm for their 2013 Rugby League World Cup campaign. It will also help silence critics of the expanded competition.

It could be argued that Papua New Guinea has already made the "Big Time" at international level. But the real question that needs to be asked is if they are ready to turn the "Big Time" into a "Long Time"? They are getting a head start on other pacific nations which could see them secure a birth in the Southern Hemisphere leg of the Four Nations for years to come. It's now up to all involved with Rugby League in Papua New Guinea to make sure they don't let this opportunity slip through their fingers.

What do you think. Have Papua New Guniea made the "Big Time" with their inclusion is the 2010 Rugby League Four Nations?