This Chiefs team could be an instant NRL premiership contender

The Papua New Guinea Chiefs have a “hit list” ready for November 1, when they can formally negotiate with a host of players for the 2028 NRL season.

The league’s 19th club is already on the front foot with seven quality signings locked in, more than 18 months before their first game.

Joey Manu joined the list on Monday morning. He, Zac Lomax, and Super League prop Matty Lees were all able to sign on given they’re not bound by NRL rules.

Jarome Luai, Brian To’o, Alex Johnston, and Connor Watson were all given permission to negotiate for season 2028 early.

But PNG’s general manager Michael Chammas says the recruitment spree will hit overdrive once a stack of players come off contract and can be tabled offers.

Already the Chiefs boast what might be the best backline in the competition if it ran out this week.

To’o and Johnston are two of the best wingers in the game while Manu and Lomax left the NRL prematurely, but were each considered in the top few centres in the league when they left.

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Jarome Luai won four premierships with Penrith before moving to the Tigers last year. He brings State of Origin and international experience, while Watson has become one of the best utility hookers in the NRL.

After the NRL recently landed a monster new broadcast deal, The Sydney Morning Herald reported the game’s salary cap could be as high as $20 million come 2028. That would be close to $8m more than it will be next season.

And with the lure of tax-free salaries on offer in Port Moresby, the Chiefs will have plenty of cash to splash to lure the game’s elite before their inaugural campaign in the NRL.

Chammas has a “hit list” – as he revealed on Nine’s 100% Footy last week – and is preparing to go after some of the game’s best players as soon as November 1 arrives.

Based on the NRL players available for season 2028, nine.com.au has forecast a potential PNG line-up for round one of that year. We have included all seven of the current signings, even if there are better options available in their position.

While it’s realistically no chance to pan out this way, it highlights the calibre of players the Chiefs can chase as they build an NRL-ready squad.

Already signed

Jarome Luai (five-eighth), Alex Johnson (wing), Brian To’o (wing), Zac Lomax (centre or fullback), Matty Lees (prop), Connor Watson (hooker or bench), Joey Manu (centre or fullback)

NRL players off contract on November 1

Fullbacks: James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Lehi Hopoate, Will Kennedy, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Cody Ramsey, Trai Fuller, Sione Fonua, Clint Gutherson, Liam Ison, Joash Papalii, Latrell Siegwalt

Wings: Jack Bostock, Josh Addo-Carr, Xavier Coates, Selwyn Cobbo, Dom Young, Jojo Fifita, Phil Coates, Jaylan De Groot, David Fale, Tony Francis, Fletcher Hunt, Sunny Kama, Edward Kosi, Moses Leo, Tyrone Munro, Tevita Naufahu, Junior Pauga, Jethro Rinakama, Xavier Savage, James Schiller, Bailey Simonsson, Junior Tupou, Blake Wilson

Centres: Bradman Best, Herbie Farnworth, Campbell Graham, Latrell Mitchell, Dane Gagai, Val Holmes, Deine Mariner, Jack Wighton, Max Feagai, Jack Howarth, Josiah Karapani, Seb Kris, Asu Kepaoa, Brian Kelly, Patrick Herbert, Isaiah Tass, Adam Pompey, Billy Smith, Jordan Samrani, Moses Suli, Aublix Tawha, Viliami Vailea

Halves: Nathan Cleary, Sam Walker, Cameron Munster, Ethan Sanders, Te Maire Martin, Matt Burton, Blaize Talagi, Latu Fainu, Luke Brooks, Jayden Sullivan, Lykhan King-Togia, Zane Harrison, Jock Madden, Sean O’Sullivan, Mitch Woods, Onitoni Large, Jett Cleary, Jonah Glover

Hookers: Wayde Egan, Sam Healey, Brandon Smith, Ryley Smith, Tom Starling, Oliver Pascoe, Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Bronson Garlick, Soni Luke, Peter Mamouzelos, Blake Mozer, Luke Sommerton, Zach Dockar-Clay, Harrison Graham

Middle forwards: Isaah Yeo, Victor Radley, Cooper Bai, Moeaki Fotuaika, J’maine Hopgood, Moses Leota, Tom Flegler, Mat Croker, Coen Hess, Nat Butcher, Max King, Josh King, Spencer Leniu, Pasami Saulo, Jacob Saifiti, Stefano Utoikamanu, Xavier Willison, Luca Moretti, Fonua Pole, Ben Talty, Sebastian Su’a, Jason Taumalolo, Jack de Belin

Edge forwards: Tallis Duncan, Victor Radley, Samuela Fainu, Eliesa Katoa, David Fifita, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Salesi Foketi, Connelly Lemuelu, Jack Williams, Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton, Ben Trbojevic, Egan Butcher, Euan Aitken, Kurt Capewell, Matt Doorey, Tom Fletcher, Ativalu Lisati, Liam Martin, Jeremiah Nanai, Matt Nicholson, Isaiah Papali’i, Brendan Piakura, Jaeman Salmon, Corey Waddell

Best possible Chiefs team (salary cap not considered)

*Bold denotes player already signed

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Brian To’o 3. Zac Lomax 4. Joey Manu 5. Alex Johnston 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Wayde Egan 10. Matty Lees 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Hudson Young 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Connor Watson 15. Tom Flegler 16. Jacob Preston 17. Stefano Utoikamanu 18. Jack Bostock 19. Tallis Duncan