Papua New Guinea Chiefs general manager Michael Chammas has revealed how the partners of star players will be a major part of the incoming franchise's recruitment drive. The Chiefs are set to become the NRL's 19th team when it enters the competition in 2028.
The PNG franchise, boasting tax-free incomes for all players, has already made a significant splash in its recruitment drive. Four-time premiership winner Jarome Luai has signed as the club's marquee man, which was quickly followed by the announcement that the NRL's all-time leading try scorer Alex Johnston would also finish his career in PNG.
Chammas is looking to keep the ball rolling and has now revealed a specific element of his team's recruiting process to ensure they get the right players for the unique international franchise.
'One thing we've made a real point of is, as creepy as it sounds, is doing our homework on the partners,' Chammas told The Levels Podcast from PNG. 'Because we're living together... we just need the right people... because if things unravel in our village... it'll unravel in our football team.'
'The partners have to be important. They've got to buy into what we're doing,' Chammas continued.
Luai made history as the first player to sign with the club, and Chammas said his family was taken into consideration when PNG went after the former Penrith and current Wests playmaker. 'He gives so much time to everyone,' Chammas said. 'He's a family man. He's a good person. We needed all that.'
Chammas is realistic about the potential of signing players on long-term contracts, disclosing he was hesitant before agreeing to the role in the island nation. 'You have to remember, you're still moving away from family. One of the reasons I baulked at this job... was I don't know if I want "that life" for my kids,' he said. 'When I say that, I don't mean PNG. I meant not being around their cousins, not being around their grandparents, that was my thought.'
'I can understand why people after two years will be like... ok I've loved every minute, we've had a great time, we've set ourselves up for life, now I'm going back,' Chammas added.
Due to rugby league being PNG's national sport, Chammas has conceded he has some work to do in converting fans of established NRL teams to the Chiefs fanbase. 'You have to remember in this country, because it's rugby league mad, everybody's got a team already,' the general manager said. 'Part of the challenge is gonna be to convert these guys into PNG Chiefs fans... because they're all gonna have two teams [at the start].'
