1. Geo political play for sure ie an attempt to counter China's growing influence in the Pacific region. Plenty of sports diplomacy stuff going on at the moment
https://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news/australian-government-and-football-australia-strengthen-support-pacific-football
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/nrl-team-confirmed-for-png-in-600m-deal-that-comes-with-a-catch-20241212-p5kxs2
Also makes a bit of sense with Brisbane/Sydney like Auckland being travel hubs for the Pacific, ie a lack of direct flights between many of the Island countries.
And lastly with an Aus team in the league, a greater chance of some large commercial Aus headquartered sponsors getting involved, to help finance a league spread over mostly a group of pretty poor 3rd World nations.
2. Not sure an announcement has been made about that yet. But Aussie being in a different Confed (AFC), you'd think it would yes be the same in that Nix and Auckland can't play in the various AFC Champions League comps
https://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news/australian-government-and-football-australia-strengthen-support-pacific-football
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/nrl-team-confirmed-for-png-in-600m-deal-that-comes-with-a-catch-20241212-p5kxs2
Also makes a bit of sense with Brisbane/Sydney like Auckland being travel hubs for the Pacific, ie a lack of direct flights between many of the Island countries.
And lastly with an Aus team in the league, a greater chance of some large commercial Aus headquartered sponsors getting involved, to help finance a league spread over mostly a group of pretty poor 3rd World nations.
2. Not sure an announcement has been made about that yet. But Aussie being in a different Confed (AFC), you'd think it would yes be the same in that Nix and Auckland can't play in the various AFC Champions League comps