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The NRL has announced that trial matches will be played in the Pacific nations over the next three years, beginning with Papua New Guinea.

NRL trials will be played in the Pacific nations over the next three years beginning with Papua New Guinea in February.

In what will be the first NRL game played in PNG, Cronulla and Canterbury will warm-up for their season with a trial in Port Moresby on February 22.

The contest will be the first of a three-year program, supported by the Australian government, that will bring trial games to Pacific nations.

"This is an exciting and valuable step for the game," NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said in a statement.

"We know so many of our players were born in Pacific nations and are idolised in nations like Papua New Guinea who have a genuine passion for rugby league."

The announcement comes after Prime Minister Scott Morrison ran the water for the traditional PM's XIII team against PNG earlier this month.

"We thank the Federal Government for their ongoing partnership," Greenberg said.

"It was remarkable to see both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister attend the PM's XIII match in Fiji earlier this month.

"Rugby league brings communities together and with the federal government there is so much we can do to enhance these regions."