The PNG Chiefs look to have signed their first player ahead of their inclusion into the NRL in 2028, and they have started as they mean to go on after capturing one of the best players in the game.
The Port Moresby-based franchise don’t join the competition for another season and a half, but they are set to begin their signing announcements with a bang.
According to Australian media, Samoa, New South Wales and Wests Tigers star Jarome Luai will become the club’s first player, and at the same time he can also become the NRL’s highest-paid player.
Luai was a key part of Penrith Panthers’ four consecutive NRL Premierships between 2021 and 2024, and is a current State of Origin representative.
A World Cup finalist with Samoa in 2022, Luai’s side were the ones to knock out England in that competition before they came up short against Australia in the final.
The half-back did have a contract at Wests until the end of 2029, but he is set to cut that short, and after seeing out the 2027 season under Benji Marshall will then join the Chiefs for the following year.
The side, which will be led by current Hull KR Willie Peters in their opening season, have also been linked with the signing of Alex Johnston, the NRL’s top try scorer in history and a 12-time Papua New Guinea international in his own right.
However, the Chiefs’ initial efforts were put on Luai, and now Peters’ side have got their man in what is a huge moment for both the club and the competition.
No deal has been officially confirmed, but according to the reports a press conference is set for Wednesday where both the Chiefs and Wests Tigers will make the announcement.
With the PNG government making all rugby league players exempt from paying tax, it means that should Luai stay on the same salary as he is currently on, around $1.2 million per season, conversion rates suggest he could be taking home an extra $500k per season, which could well make him the NRL’s highest-paid player.
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