There is a new leader in the race for the PNG Chiefs coaching role, and it could have a huge effect on two English clubs, including Leigh Leopards.
The Chiefs will enter the NRL competition in 2028, becoming the competition’s 19th team and the latest addition after The Dolphins in 2023 and the Perth Bears in 12 months time.
Based in Port Moresby, the club will be the first side to play in the NRL that is based in Papua New Guinea, in what is going to be a revolutionary move for the game in PNG.
PNG will be able to start recruiting for players ahead of their maiden campaign on November 1, but the addition they need to make before that is a head coach.
Previously, it was thought that one of Adrian Lam of Leigh Leopards, or Jason Demetriou of London Broncos would be the inaugural boss given the two’s history.
Lam was born in Papua New Guinea and represented his country both as a player and a coach on many occasions.
His current deal with Leigh is due to run out at the end of 2027, so it made perfect sense for him to complete his ‘five-year plan’ at the club then go on to a new challenge in the Australian-based competition.
Demetriou, meanwhile, is the current international boss, and has used the rebuild of London Broncos as a way to develop PNG talents at a higher level.
The London boss also has two years left on his contract, and given his relationship with all the PNG players, he seemed a perfect fit to be the club’s first-ever man in charge.
Shock name linked with head coach role at NRL club
However, despite those two esteemed bosses being the initial favourites, a new name has now emerged, and he is actually someone with very little coaching experience.
Brisbane Broncos assistant coach, Ben Te’o, is thought to be the new front-runner for the job, with Fox Sports reporting that earlier this week.
Te’o, 39, has never held a head coach role before, but his focus at the Broncos is defence, and he certainly knows his stuff given Brisbane had one of the best defences in the NRL last year.
The former back rower had spells with Wests Tigers, Brisbane and South Sydney as a player, and also spent time in the UK playing rugby union.
Whilst Lam has never publicly declared his interest in the Chiefs role, Leigh fans will be hoping that Te’o is the one that is chosen, as that would then mean that the boss is more likely to extend his contract.
Having been in the role since 2022, Lam and the Leopards have had a successful relationship, and he has taken the club from a Championship side to Super League semi-finalists in just four seasons.
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