PNG Chiefs secure marquee NRL signings ahead of 2028 debut
Consensus Summary
Papua New Guinea Chiefs have secured two marquee signings ahead of their 2028 NRL debut, with Alex Johnston becoming the first player to commit to the expansion side on a one-year tax-free deal worth $325,000. Johnston, the NRLâs all-time leading try-scorer with 219 tries, confirmed his move via Instagram on April 28, 2026, and has strong ties to PNG, having represented the Kumuls in 12 internationals. The Chiefsâ bigger coup is expected to be Jarome Luai, who visited PNG over the weekend and met with Prime Minister James Marape. Luai, a four-time premiership winner with Wests Tigers, is contracted until 2029 but has exit clauses allowing him to join PNG in 2028, where he could earn a tax-free $1.2 million per season. Both signings send a strong message about PNGâs readiness for NRL entry, with Marape praising the playersâ interest as proof of the countryâs growing rugby league strength. Johnstonâs move was supported by South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett, while Luai is expected to formally announce his decision soon.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Alex Johnston will join PNG Chiefs on a one-year tax-free deal worth $325,000 in 2028
- Jarome Luai met with PNG Prime Minister James Marape and senior club officials during a visit to Port Moresby on April 27â28, 2026
- Luai is contracted to Wests Tigers until 2029 but has exit clauses allowing him to join PNG Chiefs in 2028
- PNG Prime Minister James Marape stated: 'To be the first high-profile player to come and show interest in our team is something we deeply appreciate. It sends a message that Papua New Guinea is ready, rugby league is strong here, and our future in the NRL is bright.'
- Johnston confirmed his move to PNG Chiefs via an Instagram story post on April 28, 2026, with the words 'Yessssss sirrrrrrr'
- Johnston holds a career try tally of 219 tries, surpassing Ken Irvineâs NRL record earlier in 2026
- Johnston made his Test debut for Papua New Guinea (Kumuls) in 2019 and scored four tries in 12 internationals
- PNG Chiefs will enter the NRL in 2028 as the leagueâs 19th team
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Johnston received the blessing of South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett to join PNG Chiefs
- Johnston is 31 years old and will turn 33 in 2028
- Johnston has played 250 NRL games
- PNG Chiefs have been linked to Sydney Roosters and NSW State of Origin utility Connor Watson as another potential signing
- Luai is due to indicate to Wests Tigers by April 28, 2026, whether he will remain with the club in 2027
- Luaiâs contract with Wests Tigers is believed to be worth $1.2 million per season
- Luai is expected to publicly confirm his move to PNG Chiefs at a press conference at Wests Tigers headquarters on April 29, 2026
- Luai flew to PNG and back on a private jet with his family, touching down in Sydney on April 28, 2026
- Luai will spend 2027 with Wests Tigers before joining PNG Chiefs in 2028
- South Sydney teammate Sean Keppie commented on Johnstonâs move: 'Yeah, he told us this morning. Look, youâve got to be happy for the bloke.'
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states Luai has until Thursday (April 28) to indicate his decision to Wests Tigers, while Guardian implies the decision is already made and he will confirm it on April 29
- ABC mentions PNG Chiefs have not yet signed a player for their maiden season, while Guardian states Johnston was signed earlier on April 28
Source Articles
NRL's greatest ever try-scorer hints at imminent PNG switch
Record-setting South Sydney try-scoring winger Alex Johnston looks set to become the first player to sign for the PNG Chiefs ahead of their 2028 NRL entry.
PNG PM says Luai's visit 'sends a message' ahead of Chiefs' NRL entry
The Wests Tigers playmaker is the Chiefs' top target ahead of their NRL entry in 2028, and the Papua New Guinea prime minister says his trip to PNG shows the interest is mutual.
Jarome Luai to join PNG Chiefs as NRL expansion side make first signings
Tigers star agrees to $1.2m-a-season tax-free deal after PNG visit Try-scoring record-holder Alex Johnston also confirms 2028 move Jarome Luai is expected to become the face of the Papua New Guinea Chiefs after he agreed to join the NRLâs 19th team in 2028. The deal follows the PNG expansion sideâs announcement of South Sydney try-scoring machine Alex Johnston as their historic first signing earlier on Tuesday. Continue reading...