The Australian government has invested $600 million in the franchise, motivated by geopolitics, according to multiple reports. The Chiefs offer tax-free earnings and tax-free third-party agreements, which could net a player like Luai far more than at any other NRL club. Subsidized travel and relocation costs, accommodation at a luxury player village on Loloata island, and possible special allowances for marquee players are also part of the package.
These incentives effectively amount to a salary-cap advantage but not an official cap concession from the NRL. The Perth Bears, another expansion team entering in 2027, have asked for salary-cap concessions and been rejected by ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys, multiple reports indicate. 2 million a season, was unveiled as the club's inaugural signing on Wednesday morning.
We do our homework on the partners as well, because we need to make sure that they're going to fit into what we're doing.
He was seated next to Papua New Guinea prime minister James Marape at a packed Port Moresby crowd at Sir John Guise Stadium, alongside Chiefs chief executive Lorna McPherson and general manager Michael Chammas. Luai and his family were guests of Prime Minister Marape and toured the facilities the new franchise will utilize. Luai said the chance to earn tax-free dollars was appealing but not what got the deal signed; the deciding factor was the Chiefs' mission to use rugby league for positive social change.
He added that being Polynesian, there are similarities to Samoa, and the team's vision to grow a nation resonated with him. The trip to Port Moresby put to bed any safety concerns, and his family left with a positive perception, Luai said. According to Daily Mail - Sport, Michael Chammas described how the club does homework on players' partners as part of recruitment, ensuring they will fit into the communal living arrangement.
They have to buy into what we're doing because we're going to be living together in a village.
Partners must buy into what the club is doing because the team lives together in a village, Chammas explained. He described Luai as a family man and a good person who gives time to everyone. Chammas admitted he initially hesitated to take the job due to concerns about moving his young family away from relatives.
He acknowledged that players might leave after two years despite enjoying the experience and financial benefits. Rabbitohs legend and Kumuls star Alex Johnston has expressed his desire to join the franchise, multiple reports indicate. Luai's recruitment by the Tigers more than two years ago involved coach Benji Marshall signing a winner to transform the club's culture.
He's a family man, he's a good person, he gives time to everyone.
Since joining the Tigers in 2025, Luai has helped turn them from cellar dwellers into finals contenders. The Chiefs hope Luai will have a similar impact in building their club from the ground up over the next 18 months. According to Daily Mail - Sport, Chammas said he needs to convert fans of established NRL teams to support the Chiefs.
The PNG Chiefs represent an entire nation, unlike other NRL clubs that represent a city or region. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was not present when Luai was lured to Wests Tigers, unlike the PNG Prime Minister's involvement with the Chiefs, multiple reports note.
I was a bit hesitant at the start because I've got a young family and I'm moving them away from their grandparents and their cousins.
They might come for two years, they might love the experience, they might love the financial benefits, but then they might want to go home.
We need to convert them. We need to make them Chiefs fans.
The chance to earn tax-free dollars was appealing but it wasn't what got the deal signed. The deciding factor was the Chiefs' mission to use rugby league for positive social change.
Being Polynesian, there are similarities to Samoa, and the team's vision to grow a nation resonated with me.
The trip to Port Moresby put to bed any safety concerns, and my family left with a positive perception.