A doctor in Goroka, Eastern Highlands province Gerard Saleu says rugby league is like a religion in PNG.
He has been involved with the Lahanis since 1992 and says the number of people watching the game is more than the number of people going to church.
So if anyone is communicating messages to the masses, parking a billboard or raising a placard at the rugby league field would certainly deliver a message.
PNGs avid league followers of the Australian NRL is massive.
Tonight at 7pm they will be glued to TV at their lounge rooms, pubs, streets or crowding Haus Piksas with a small set of TV.
They will cheer.
The Melbourne Storm and Parramata Eels who go head to head tonight to open the season have a damn huge following.
For the Eels its long history and the array of stars who have passed through attracted huge fanfare in the country.
Peter Sterling is one to name.
Justin Olam from the highland Simbu Province who followed the foot steps of West New Britain and Ulamona sensation Marcus Bai to don the purple jersey of the Melbourne Storm have a huge following as well.
Tonight Olam will not be playing but this will not reduce the fanfare, love and the energy cheering the Storm on from Papua New Guinea.
The Eels played in the Grand Final in 2022 losing to Penrith Panthers while the Storm slipped out of the top four as it battled its injury woes.
With a new captain in Christian Welch, fans in PNG are confident of a Storm successful year and can't wait longer for Olam's return.
The Storm's next man up mentality and success rate makes it a favourite team among objective punters.
The Storm and Eels tipped to finish among the top four this season.
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