Editing Papua New Guinea (section)

=== Sport ===
{{Main|Sport in Papua New Guinea}}

Sport is an important part of Papua New Guinean culture, and [[Rugby league in Papua New Guinea|rugby league]] is by far the most popular sport.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hadfield |first=Dave |title=Island gods high in a dream world |work=[[The Independent]] |date=8 October 1995 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/island-gods-high-in-a-dream-world-1576603.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/island-gods-high-in-a-dream-world-1576603.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=6 October 2009}}</ref> In a nation where communities are far apart and many people live at a minimal subsistence level, rugby league has been described as a replacement for tribal warfare as a way of explaining the local enthusiasm for the game. Many Papua New Guineans have become celebrities by representing their country or playing in an overseas professional league. Even Australian rugby league players who have played in the annual [[State of Origin series]], which is celebrated every year in PNG, are among the most well-known people throughout the nation. State of Origin is a highlight of the year for most Papua New Guineans,{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}} although the support is so passionate that people have died in violent clashes supporting their team.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/three-dead-in-png-after-state-of-origin-violence-20090626-cywd.html |title=Three dead in PNG after State of Origin violence |publisher=BrisbaneTimes.com.au |date=26 June 2009 |access-date=27 June 2010 |archive-date=13 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513143005/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/three-dead-in-png-after-state-of-origin-violence-20090626-cywd.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Papua New Guinea national rugby league team]] usually plays against the Australian Prime Minister's XIII (a selection of NRL players) each year, normally in Port Moresby.

Although not as popular, [[Australian rules football in Papua New Guinea|Australian rules football]] is significant in another way, as [[Papua New Guinea national Australian rules football team|the national team]] is ranked second, only after Australia. Other major sports that have a part in the Papua New Guinea sporting landscape are [[netball in Papua New Guinea|netball]], [[Football in Papua New Guinea|association football]], [[Rugby union in Papua New Guinea|rugby union]], [[basketball]] and, in eastern Papua, [[cricket]].