{
  "id": 14623067,
  "title": "The World Cup co-hosts where rugby league is a national obsession",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/the-world-cup-co-hosts-where-rugby-league-is-a-national-obsession",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-15T05:37:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Sport",
    "slug": "bbc-sport",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/cm2kwy742nj5o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Rugby league is a national obsession in Papua New Guinea (PNG), where the sport transcends tribal divisions and unites the diverse population, despite the nearly 800 languages spoken on the island. Children will fashion balls from anything, and the crowds are so passionate that players can barely hear each other on the field. The game was introduced by Australian miners in the 1930s and quickly gained popularity, with the Kumuls national team serving as a symbol of unity. The obsession with rugby league in PNG is so intense that visiting teams sometimes face over-excited crowds, requiring police intervention. For many, the sport offers a chance to cross borders and compete internationally. Edwin Ipape, a Papua New Guinea rugby league player, credits the game with teaching him discipline and life lessons, and welcomes the opportunity to represent his country.",
  "summary": "World Cup co-hosts Papua New Guinea's love of rugby league manifests itself in the Kumuls and the Orchids national teams, two badges of hope and unity for the island.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "TechRadar",
        "title": "How to watch Rugby League World Cup 2026: FREE live streams",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/how-to-watch-rugby-league-world-cup-2026-free-live-streams",
        "published": "2026-10-15T04:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Tom's Guide",
        "title": "How to watch Rugby League World Cup 2026 for FREE: Live streams",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/how-to-watch-rugby-league-world-cup-2026-for-free-live-streams",
        "published": "2026-10-15T06:30:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Live: World Cup begins as Origin stars make historic starts for Kiwis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/live-world-cup-begins-as-origin-stars-make-historic-starts-for-kiwis",
        "published": "2026-10-15T07:30:27.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}