Australian immigration laws are denying Papua New Guinea rugby league players their dream to play in the NRL while others turn to the UK as it's easier to gain entry.

A number of PNG's top players cannot play in the NRL or run with feeder clubs because tough visa restrictions require large cash bonds to guarantee compliance with the law.

Kumuls centre Jesse Parker is the latest PNG player to claim visa restrictions are stopping him trialling at an NRL club, St George Illawarra.

PNG rugby league chairman Albert Veratau told AAP at least ten of the country's top players have been denied access to play in Australia due to visa restrictions.

"It's quite a huge problem for us," Veratau said.

"Hopefully in the future things will be a little bit better but unfortunately we have players now ready for NRL or feeder clubs.

"PNG has talent that needs to be developed, sadly but understandably, NRL clubs can't commit or gamble large sums of money for players to pass the visa requirements.

"Feeder clubs that show interest, like Cairns' Northern Pride, just don't have the money,"

PNG players are looking at English clubs because entry into the UK is easier, Veratau said.

"Kumuls Michael Marks and Charlie Wabo went to the UK and are playing in a second tier competition," he said.

"They weren't able to get into Australia because they needed to be on something like a minimum of $40,000 salary.

"I have raised the problem a number of times with the Australian Rugby League but it's a government position."

One PNG rugby league official joked players could sign up to Australia's pilot Pacific seasonal workers scheme designed to assist the agriculture industry.

"Pick fruit in the week and play footy on weekend, perhaps, as a way around the problem," he said.

During Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's 2008 PNG trip he said one of the strongest links between the two countries was rugby league.

Rudd gave $260,000 to PNG rugby league for facilities and equipment like boots, jumpers and shorts.

PNG's business, sporting and political elite are also pushing for a PNG-based team entering the NRL by 2012.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP