Money may not motivate top stars into PNG switch, according to new survey results

The tax benefits that come with making the move to Papua New Guinea's new team may not make the move as attractive to players as once thought.

As the game prepares to expand into new regions, a survey conducted by the Rugby League Players' Association found that only 30 per cent of players admitted money to be a reason to change clubs.

The poll included responses from more than 700 male and female athletes, with the final insights shedding a new light on the dynamic driving player movements.

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Given the NRL's announcement of a PNG expansion, RLPA chief executive Clint Newton was not surprised by the opinions of players in the survey.

"Total remuneration is, of course, important to players as it is to anyone in the community," Newton said in The Sydney Morning Herald.

"However, what primarily motivates players to sign for other clubs is, on the whole, not driven purely by financial terms. That has been consistent for many years in our surveys of our members."

Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo was the first player to publicly express his concerns about the confirmed expansion to PNG, noting the safety of those young families will deter players away from joining the team.

"Safety would be the first one you'd need to [address]," Yeo said.

"There are obviously [tax] perks. It will be interesting to see how everything looks in two years' time when all the creases have been ironed out and problems solved.

"There are financial benefits. There might be fringe players here who want to go over for the chance to become regular first-graders, and those who want to experience a different culture.

"If you're getting paid $1.6 million and not getting taxed on it, it might not be as hard as you think to get [a marquee player]."

The survey results also found that 48 per cent of players had moved on from the previous clubs due to issues with coaching staff (22 per cent) or poor club culture (21 percent).

A further 42 per cent stated they had moved on from a team due to contract expiration.

The leading influences identified for player movement included the search for career development, greater playing opportunities, culture and better locations for family lifestyles.

Players were asked to rate their experience at their club on a number of different levels, with South Sydney emerging as the top-ranked club for overall player satisfaction.

In the NRLW, the Parramatta Eels sat atop of the poll.