PNG Chiefs build star power as Johnston joins Luai in new NRL project

Alex Johnston has become the latest major signing for Papua New Guinea’s new National Rugby League (NRL) franchise.

The 31-year-old winger joins a growing list of players set to form the foundation of the PNG Chiefs’ 2028 debut season.

The try-scoring star, who has 221 tries for South Sydney and recently broke the long-standing record held by Ken Irvine, arrives as the second confirmed marquee signing alongside Jarome Luai.

Johnston also has a personal link to Papua New Guinea through his grandmother, who was born in Sandaun Province.

The club says that connection, along with his profile and experience, fits the identity they are trying to build.

“On the field, Alex is a game-breaker, a record holder and a figure of pride amongst fans in both Australia and Papua New Guinea,” the club said in a statement.

“Off the field, his professionalism, humility and his connection to PNG align perfectly with the values the club is being built on - community, family, and pride in representing PNG and the Pacific.”

The PNG Chiefs say Johnston’s signing is part of a wider plan to build an exciting, attacking team with strong local ties and long-term depth.

Michael Chammas, the club’s general manager of football, told media that more players are expected to join as recruitment continues ahead of their entry into the competition.

The PNG Chiefs are building early momentum for their NRL entry, with Alex Johnston linking up alongside fellow marquee signing Jarome Luai, pictured here with PNG Prime Minister James Marape in Port Moresby recently, as the club shapes its inaugural squad. Photo/Facebook/PNG News Today

“We've identified the Papua New Guinean players that we'd love to have in there and there's obviously 18 months before they get together," he said. "So, there's no doubt that this team is going to have a strong contingent of Papua New Guinean players.”

Chammas said the focus is not just on signing talent but on building a system that develops future generations of players in Papua New Guinea.

“What we want is for guys like Jarome [Luai] to teach the young Papua New Guinean boys what it is to be successful, what it is to be a professional, to be disciplined and the sacrifices you have to make.

"That's what Jarome will instil in others and that's what other players that we bring have to instil into the young PNG boys, who might not understand right now what it takes to be successful, what it takes to be an NRL player.

"They will instil that in them and those young guys will then go back and they will teach the next generation."

Chammas also said Luai’s influence was growing off-field, pointing to a recent visit to a school in Port Moresby.

"He walked past the classroom, and these little girls just sort of looked and when they realised who it was they just started screaming," Chammas said.

"The happiness that he will bring to people and the joy he will bring to their lives, he felt that firsthand."

The new franchise is unable to formally engage with players off contract until 1 November, the day after Papua New Guinea’s final Rugby League World Cup pool match against England in Wollongong, Australia.

Chiefs' head coach, Willie Peters, who was appointed in March, said the role goes beyond the game itself.

He described it as an opportunity that “transcends rugby league”.

The Rugby League World Cup starts on 15 October and matches will be played across Sydney, Port Moresby, Perth, Newcastle, Christchurch, Brisbane, Wollongong, Gold Coast, and Townsville.