𝖯𝖭𝖦 𝖢𝖧𝖨𝖤𝖥𝖲 𝖴𝖯𝖣𝖠𝖳𝖤𝖲

Michael Chammas, the General Manager of new NRL franchise PNG Chiefs, has heaped praise on soon-to-be head coach Willie Peters and his current club Hull KR.

Australian Peters has, of course, been appointed as the inaugural head coach of the Chiefs and will depart Hull KR at the end of this season to begin his duties with that role.

The Chiefs will enter the NRL at the start of the 2028 campaign, but Peters and his colleagues – including Chammas – will devote next year to ensuring the franchise are ready to go when the time comes.

Preparations have already begun, with both Alex Johnston and Jarome Luai signed up as the first two Chiefs squad members for 2028.

And as Peters’ time in charge of Rovers nears an end, he has been paid a visit by Chammas, who is in East Hull to watch the Robins’ Super League clash against Wigan Warriors.

Details 👉 https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/michael-chammas-willie-peters-praise-21-05-2026

ALL-TIME National Rugby League (NRL) leading try scorer Alex Johnston has revealed South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett fully supported his decision to join the PNG Chiefs; not just for football reasons, but for the future of his family as well.

Johnston said Bennett was proud of the decision he made as he prepared for the next chapter of his career connected to Papua New Guinea’s historic NRL expansion team.

Read More : https://www.thenational.com.pg/ajs-chiefs-move-has-bennetts-blessing/

THE excitement around the PNG Chiefs making their NRL debut in 2028 is growing across Papua New Guinea, and so is the following.

With two years to go, discussions about recruitment and squad building are now in full swing.

Chiefs management have made it clear that while signing experienced players is important to strengthen the squad for their first season, they will not overlook the wealth of PNG talent already competing overseas.

Many Papua New Guinea internationals are currently contracted to clubs in the NRL, Super League, Betfred Championship and Queensland's Hostplus Cup, offering the Chiefs a ready-made pool of players familiar with top level rugby league.

Details 👉 https://www.nrl.com/news/2026/03/17/revealed-the-png-talent-pool-in-sights-of-chiefs/

Papua New Guinea is proud to welcome Connor Watson and Kiana to Port Moresby. This visit marks an exciting moment for the PNG Chiefs as they continue building strong relationships and showcasing the passion, culture, and future of rugby league in the country.

Australian rugby league star Connor Watson has left the door open for a potential move to the PNG Chiefs after visiting the club’s facilities at Airways in Port Moresby.

Watson, a utility player for the Sydney Roosters, said a possible signing is not confirmed but remains an option after seeing the club’s setup.

When asked about the possibility of joining the PNG Chiefs, Watson simply replied: “Maybe.”

Watson is widely known for his versatility on the field, capable of playing in the halves, spine, and forward positions. He also regularly represents the Indigenous All Stars and has featured for New South Wales in the State of Origin series.

Sydney Roosters utility and NSW Origin representative Connor Watson arrived in Port Moresby today [Sunday] as the PNG Chiefs looks set to potentially secure his signature.

Following the Magic Round loss to North Queensland Cowboys last night in Brisbane, Watson was granted permission by the Roosters to fly up with his partner, Kiara, to meet directly with Chiefs officials.

The Blues star is understood to be touring the Chiefs facilities and hold talks with general manager Michael Chammas.

While he is still under contract with the Roosters until the end of the 2027 season, this quick turnaround visit, ahead of his return to Sydney tomorrow for the Blues' State of Origin camp, shows just how seriously these roster-building conversations are being taken by the NRL expansion side.

The PNG Chiefs, entering the NRL competition as the 19th franchise, are heavily pursuing Watson to bolster their foundational roster. They have already locked in major star power by signing Wests Tigers superstar Jarome Luai and prolific try-scorer Alex Johnston. Landing Watson would mark a massive three from three recruiting strike.

Watson is under contract with the Sydney Roosters, but the club has granted him permission to travel to PNG to explore his long-term options. The Roosters have indicated they are willing to grant him an early release if he secures a lucrative, long-term deal elsewhere.

While other NRL clubs like the St George Illawarra Dragons, Manly Sea Eagles, and the Perth Bears have thrown their hats into the ring to sign the versatile utility, this direct trip to Port Moresby firmly establishes the PNG Chiefs as the frontrunners to secure his signature.

The PNG Chiefs have aggressively ramped up their inaugural 2028 roster build.

Key updates include marquee signings like Jarome Luai and Alex Johnston, high-profile targets from rugby union, and a massive commitment to local PNG talent alongside English Super League recruitment.

•Player Signings & Recruitment
-Jarome Luai: The four-time premiership-winning playmaker is the club's inaugural marquee signing. He is contracted from 2028 to 2029 with an option for 2030.

-Alex Johnston: The record-breaking South Sydney tryscorer has been signed, becoming the first PNG-affiliated player to join the franchise.

•Rugby Union Defections:
-The Chiefs have held formal talks in Brisbane with code-hopping teenage prodigy Treyvon Pritchard and his brother Kadin, pitching them as foundational pieces of the roster.

•Super League Targets:
-Football General Manager Michael Chammas confirmed that head coach Willie Peters is utilizing his Super League expertise to actively recruit players in England.

•Local Development & Representation
-The club is heavily focused on creating a strong Papua New Guinean core, actively tracking local players competing overseas to ensure they are part of the 2028 plans.

CEO Lorna McPherson and the executive board are focused on laying the operational groundwork, including local player accommodation and community support.

Sydney Roosters star to tour PNG Chiefs facilities.

The Papua New Guinea Chiefs are keen to strike again following a to their franchise. This time they have their eyes set on Sydney Roosters star utility Connor Watson.

Watson will tour PNG this weekend, with the Sydney Morning Herald reporting he and his partner will travel to visit Chiefs general manager of football Michael Chammas as a two-year deal looms for the utility.

The Chiefs are looking to go three from three in elite signings to start their campaign as the 19th NRL franchise.

Details 👉 https://www.zerotackle.com/sydney-roosters-star-to-tour-png-chiefs-facilities-233728/

How much will the government lose from the tax-free PNG Chief salaries?

It has now been revealed by the Daily Telegraph how much the government will take a hit from this audacious cross-national project.

In unseen territories in the NRL, the Australian government and the PNG government will come together to ensure players and staff who sign with the PNG Chiefs will receive tax-free salaries.

It is to ensure players can adequately consider the Chiefs as a career option, with the tax-related benefits lasting 10 years after their inception.

A high-density crime rate in Port Moresby and players and staff having to relocate families to a different country are among the top reasons why incentives were introduced.

It has now been revealed by the Daily Telegraph how much the government will take a hit from this audacious cross-national project.

“The government will amend the tax law to ensure that income tax exemptions provided by Papua New Guinea for players and staff of the PNG Chiefs National Rugby League team operate as intended. This will decrease receipts by $5.4m over four years from 2026–27,” government papers listed on Tuesday.

Details 👉 https://www.zerotackle.com/how-much-will-the-government-lose-from-the-tax-free-png-chief-salaries-233679/

THE PNG Chiefs are taking extra time to finalise their official club logo and colours, with chief executive officer Lorna McPherson saying the process is more complicated than many people may realise.

“We’re working on the logo at the moment and it’s a long process,” McPherson said. “It has to represent what we believe the PNG Chiefs should stand for but, at the same time, it also has to fit within the NRL style of branding and logos.”

Read More : https://www.thenational.com.pg/png-chiefs-yet-to-finalise-logo-colours/