‘Everyone has got it wrong’: V’landys unfazed by growing Chiefs concern
The aggressive recruitment spree from the PNG Chiefs has continued with the signing of Brian To’o - but ARLC executive chairman Peter V’landys denies the tax-free incentives have made for an unfair playing field.
To’o will reunite with former Panthers teammate and close friend Jarome Luai as part of the Chiefs’ inaugural squad, inking a three-year deal.
Brian To’o and Jarome Luai are set to reunite in PNG Getty Images
Penrith confirmed the news on Monday morning, with Ivan Cleary admitting it would be tough to let the four-time premiership winner leave.
“Brian is an exceptional player, but he’s an even better person. He’s a great teammate, a devoted family man and someone who brings so much energy and positivity to our club every day,” the Penrith coach said.
“He’s been a huge part of what we’ve built here, and we’re looking forward to sharing one more season with him before he begins his next chapter.”
To’o has played his entire NRL career with the Panthers and is a proud local junior, coming through with the St Mary’s Saints and the club’s pathway system.
To’o is the sixth player to officially sign with the NRL’s 19th team, who will also welcome the likes of Zac Lomax, Alex Johnston and Connor Watson.
The 27-year-old’s signature is another major boost for Chiefs general manager Michael Chammas and head coach Willie Peters, who have started building a roster full of representative stars well ahead of schedule.
However, the fact players who are heading to the Chiefs will be able to earn a tax-free salary has created plenty of noise and backlash within the game.
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett took aim at the situation recently, but V’landys doesn’t believe it has become unfair and explained his stance.
“Where everyone has got it wrong in my view is it’s still the same salary cap - it’s the same salary cap as every other club and eventually, that salary cap will be exhausted and they will get their players,” he told 9News Sydney on Monday.
“Yes, certainly tax-free is designed to attract players and so it should, because it’s a challenge for the player and they’ve got to be given every opportunity.
“No, I don’t think it is [unfair] - it’s an unfair advantage in attracting a player, but we’re talking about trying to take people out of their normal lives and into Papua New Guinea, so there’s got to be some attraction.”
Chammas, who worked in the media until taking on the role, believes frustration from NRL rivals means the Chiefs are heading in the right direction.
“Clubs are going to say it’s unfair, there’s going to be self-interest and I completely understand that ... we can wear that as a badge of honour,” he told 9News Sydney.
Jarome Luai and Brian To’o. Getty
“If clubs are upset with the way we’re heading, it means we’re putting a team together that’s going to be competitive.
“If they weren’t, I’d be more annoyed because it means they’re not taking us seriously and we’re not making the right moves.”
The strength of their early signings has put the rest of the NRL on high-alert, but Sharks great Wade Graham has urged the expansion franchise to be mindful of the depth in the squad given the nature of the 27-round regular season.
“They’re doing a remarkable job,” Graham said on Triple M’s NRL Daily.
“The guys they’ve signed, it’s fantastic - but they need depth as well, there’s going to be injuries. If they just sign 18 top-tier players and all of a sudden, a couple of big injuries occur, they need to have that squad balance.
“The calibre of players they’ve managed to sign is wonderful, and they’ve obviously got plans to keep being aggressive ... but there’s still a long way to go.”
English great James Graham echoed those sentiments, but also believes attracting so many stars early could help them land some depth signings.
“They enter this period [November] with big names already in and what that gives you is leverage for those middle-tier players,” he said.
“You’ve got the tax-free incentive, but you’ve also got a really competitive roster.
“Those middle-tier players, squad numbers 10 to 20 where you’re really going to get some value out of, they can be an attractive destination.
“It’s still got some holes in it, but they are so far advanced.”
While it’s still a long way off, the Chiefs are heading in the direction few could have predicted and To’o joining only helps develop and grow the Pacific identity that the club will be built on, given his standing as a proud Samoan international.
“This signing is about much more than football,” CEO Lorna McPherson said.
“Across our region, family, culture, community and rugby league are deeply connected. Brian represents those values every time he takes the field.
Brian To’o will join the Chiefs in 2028. Getty Images
“He is fiercely proud of his Samoan heritage, incredibly close to his family and understands what it means to represent something bigger than yourself. That is exactly the kind of person we want wearing the Chiefs jersey.”
Chammas added: “Brian understands family, sacrifice, humility, and togetherness. Those are values shared across Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.”
The two-time Brad Fittler Medal winner will play out the remainder of his contract with the Panthers before heading to the Chiefs in 2028.
PNG Chiefs 2028 squad
Jarome Luai, Alex Johnston, Connor Watson, Matty Lees, Zac Lomax, Brian To’o
