PNG Chiefs coach Willie Peters responds to critics about the tax-free incentives that have convinced seven players to sign.
Peters has just left his coaching role at Hull KR in the Super League to hopefully build a successful club in Papua New Guinea.
In the four years spent coaching in the Super League, winning the Challenge Cup and the Super League premiership in 2025, and won the World Club Challenge against the Brisbane Broncos in February this year.
Under the NRL's ten-year $600 million agreement with the Australian Government, players and coaches receive tax-free salaries, which has materialised negative responses from fans and media.
The Australian government included the incentives to lure players to a country with legitimate security and political concerns.
PNG's tax-break incentive has changed free agency into something else entirely.
So far, they have signed Jarome Luai, Alex Johnston, Matty Lees, Connor Watson, Brian To'o, Zac Lomax and Joseph Manu.
The Chiefs are expected to sign Sean O'Sullivan to become Chiefs player '008', who will play for St Helens in 2027.
Peters isn't concerned about the Chiefs receiving judgement because of the incentives, as he shifts focus to shaping their roster together.
“Before I got the job, people were saying, ‘Why would you want that? Why are you taking that on? How are you going to get people over there?'” he told The Daily Telegraph.
“The tax-free dollars were there when people were saying all that, and then we started getting players.
“No matter what, you're going to get judged. If we weren't getting anyone, we'd get judged on that. Now we're getting some high-quality players, and we're getting judged on that too.
“It's rugby league, it's social media, it's life — no matter what happens, people are going to have an opinion.
“If we don't sign players, we get judged on that, and now that we are signing high-quality players, suddenly it's not fair.
“That's always going to be there, but it doesn't concern me too much.
“I just want to make sure we build the best roster possible and, more importantly, connect the group once we've got that roster together.”
The PNG Chiefs officially unveiled their logo and official jersey for the 2028 season, with a lot of divisive reactions online.
Now, less than two weeks away from November 1, the Chiefs are keen to build their roster and will prioritise getting a halfback.
A successful season for Peters in 2028 will be making the finals, as he wants to build something successful for the country of Papua New Guinea.
The Chiefs have been linked to Nathan Cleary and Zane Harrison.
“Obviously it's a key position, so we just want to wait and see who's available come November,” Peters said.
“The ones that are available now, obviously you discuss internally, but we'll wait and see what happens on November 1 to see what we can actually do and who we can go after.
“It's a key position; we know that, so we've got to make sure we fill it with the right person.”
Peters signed a four-year deal to become the Chiefs coach, with his contract finishing at the end of the 2030 season.
While he admits the tax-free incentives were appealing, his main priority has always been taking care of his family and giving them stability.
“Everyone needs to look after their family, and I'm no different,” the former Hull KR coach said.
“When you sign a contract, you need to look at your future and giving your family stability, so that's obviously appealing.
“But it's a lot bigger than that. You've got to come and do it, live it, and win games. That's the most important part.”
Canberra Raiders back-rower Hudson Young has been heavily linked to the Chiefs.
Peters was part of Australia's coaching staff under Kevin Walters in the Ashes series and would be open to coaching the back-rower again, as the Chiefs wait for the NRL to reassess Young's market valuation, as he explores his contract situation.
“I'd obviously be keen to sign him,” he said.
“I've got a relationship with Hudson and love the way he plays. I worked with him in the Ashes last year (as Kangaroos assistant coach).
“We'll see how it pans out, but there's definitely strong interest from our side; that's for sure.
“We'll know more in the next week or two.”
