'Michael Chammas, I do love you': Off-contract NRL star's cheeky pitch to Chiefs after Jarome Luai salary reveal

Off-contract Cronulla forward Toby Rudolf has made a cheeky pitch to Papua New Guinea as he looks to cash in on the tax-free salaries on offer with the NRL's new club.

The Chiefs this week landed their first player signing, and it was a big one in the form of four-time premiership winner Jarome Luai, who will be an inaugural player in 2028.

Luai's contract is for two seasons with the option of a third, and while his salary has not been made public it's reportedly in line with the $1.2 million he would have earned per year if he stayed at the Wests Tigers.

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But if he remained at Concord he would have been handing almost half of that income to the Australian government in tax, whereas by basing himself in Port Moresby he will be able to pocket every cent.

Chiefs general manager of football Michael Chammas revealed Luai and his management could have squeezed them for more money, but opted not to in the hope PNG can build a competitive roster around the wily five-eighth.

Chammas has also hit back at allegations the NRL has handed the Chiefs an unfair advantage by offering tax-free salaries, while none of the other 18 clubs can offer such incentives.

"We're not going to deny it's there, it's obviously an incentive for someone to set themselves up for life," Chammas told Nine's Today on Friday.

"But if that's your only motivation I think you can see through that pretty quickly.

"The questions Jarome was asking, it wasn't about money. He could have probably asked for more but he didn't push.

"He wanted to make sure his family was OK... he was comfortable that his family would be safe and they would enjoy themselves.

"And he wants to win, and that's what we want to do, we want to be competitive."

Luai was wooed by the Chiefs in a whirlwind trip to Port Moresby last weekend, alongside his wife and one of his children.

Rudolf, 30, is in NRL limbo with no contract beyond this season.

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While his plans for 2027 are very much up in the air, he clearly wants to be a Chief come 2028.

The lure of tax-free dollars was put to the larrikin prop on Today.

"They don't sit badly, let me say that," he said with a smirk.

"I heard the new PNG manager is coming on (Today) a little after my chat, so Karl (Stefanovic) if you don't mind putting in a word for me... maybe let him know I think he looks amazing today, and I've heard he smells fantastic.

"I'm a really fun guy, I like to play rugby league, I'm a good listener, and I'd really like to get a team together. I also like to travel.

"Michael Chammas, I do love you, I hear you're a great man and I look forward to working with you in the future.

"In all seriousness I've been to the country a couple times already, I've played there. The country needs this and it would be amazing to be over there.

"And yes, there is an (financial) incentive to go there of course."

The Chiefs are closing in on a deal for record-breaking South Sydney winger Alex Johnston.

They are unable to negotiate with many NRL players given they won't technically be off-contract until November 1.

Chammas on Thursday refused to bite at questions regarding a potential pursuit of superstar Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary, who is one of those on the market come November.