London Broncos star to become one of PNG Chiefs ...
The NRL will welcome it's 19th team to the competition in 2028, as the PNG Chiefs enter the Australian game for the very first time.
www.seriousaboutrl.comHere’s the latest on the PNG Chiefs (PNG Chiefs NRL franchise) based on recent public reports:
- CEO and office setup: Lorna McPherson was announced as Chief Executive Officer and PNG Chiefs opened a new office with the first board meeting held in February 2026, marking progress in governance and operations (public media coverage from February 2026).[1]
- Coaching appointment: Willie Peters was named the inaugural head coach in late March 2026, with a formal media conference in Port Moresby confirming the appointment and outlining next steps.[4]
- Recruitment and staffing: PNG Chiefs indicated ongoing recruitment for key administration roles ahead of their inaugural NRL season in 2028, reflecting building the franchise’s operational backbone.[5]
- External interest: Reports in April 2026 suggested strong interest in high-profile players (e.g., Mitch Kenny and Liam Martin) as the club seeks to bolster on-field competitiveness ahead of 2028.[3]
- Broader context: The NRL had publicly welcomed the PNG Chiefs and signaled their 2028 season integration, underscoring official league support for the new franchise.[2]
- Additional coverage: Several media pieces discuss early talent acquisition and coaching-contest dynamics as the franchise defines its foundational squad and staff.[6][7][8]
If you’d like, I can pull the most up-to-date single-topic summary (e.g., coaching status, player recruitment, governance updates) with direct quotes and dates, or track any developments that occur after April 2026.