1986 New Zealand rugby league tour of Australia and Papua New Guinea match victory against New Zealand and their first test win since defeating France 37-6 in 1977. The Kumuls would not win another test until 1990. Following the loss to Papua New Guinea, Graham Lowe resigned in August to take up the position of head coach with English club side Wigan. Tony Gordon was appointed as his replacement in September. Dun Furner and Wally Lewis would lead the Australian team on the undefeated 1986 Kangaroo Tour of Great Britain and France at the end of the NSWRL and BRL seasons. 1986 New Zealand rugby league tour of Australia and Papua New
Australian rules football in Papua New Guinea as well as three gold medals at the Arafura Games. Players of Papua New Guinean heritage have played professionally in the Australian Football League, the most famous of which is "king" Mal Michael. In 2010, at least 4 players had been recruited from Papua New Guinea to AFL lists. A larger number of players of Papua New Guinean origin now participate in semi-professional state leagues around Australia. The AFL has established a pathway from PNG to the AFL mainly through Queensland but more recently through Tasmania. The game is covered by both "The National" and "Papua New Guinea Post-Courier". In