Rugby league identity James Graham does not often get mistaken for other footy stars, but a fan in Papua New Guinea this week thought he had met fellow Englishman Sam Burgess in the flesh. Graham, 40, flew to Port Moresby as Michael Chammas, the PNG Chiefs General Manager of Football, continued his charm offensive with those excelling in the NRL podcast space.
The former St Helens, Bulldogs, and Dragons prop was joined by the likes of Willie Mason and Justin Horo in the capital and happily posed for a photo with one excited local. The problem was that the man in question thought he was getting a selfie with Burgess, the South Sydney icon.
'Privilege to meet NRL star and former Rabbitohs player Sam Burgess,' PNG local Siitoh Pinis Wara II posted on Facebook. 'English man meetim (sic) pidgin man.'
Alex Johnston Signs with PNG Chiefs
The mix-up comes as Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston confirmed he will join the PNG Chiefs for their inaugural 2028 season in the NRL. The code's all-time leading try-scorer said it was a 'blessing in disguise' to get the deal finalised. It follows the Chiefs securing the services of Wests Tigers star Jarome Luai as their marquee signing.
'I'm guessing you all know what I'm about to announce - for the 2028 season, I'm proudly signing with the PNG Chiefs,' Johnston said. 'It's something that myself and my family are really looking forward to. I've obviously been a one-club player my whole career (with Souths) and it was a big decision to make.'
Johnston, who has scored 221 tries in 251 appearances for the Rabbitohs, also dismissed any concerns over player safety in Port Moresby. 'If you're a rugby league player, the only concern is if you're gonna shake too many hands or get too many photos,' he said. 'They (locals) absolutely love you and they're not gonna do anything to you, it's probably the safest place in the world (for the players).'
