Sharks captain Cameron McInnes and Storm winger Xavier Coates are among the latest big names being linked to the PNG Chiefs, following a momentous day for the NRL‘s newest team. On Tuesday, the Chiefs made the bombshell announcement that Wests Tigers skipper Jarome Luai would become PNG’s first marquee star, with record-breaking Souths winger Alex Johnston also agreeing to join the new franchise.
Both players are set to leave their respective clubs at the end of next season, with Luai’s mega-money deal with the Chiefs reportedly worth around $1.2 million dollars a season in tax-free money. Luring the four-time premiership-winning former Panther is a huge statement from the PNG side, and could hand them a major boost when it comes to recruiting other top talent across the competition.
Storm winger Xavier Coates (L) and Sharks captain Cameron McInnes are among the latest big names being linked with a move to the PNG Chiefs in 2028. Pic: Getty
Off-contract Cronulla captain McInnes is one player who’s been linked with a potential switch, having recently returned to the NRL after eight months out with an ACL injury. McInnes is yet to secure a new deal for 2027 and says the potential money on offer, and the prospect of being a foundation player at an expansion club is something that appeals to him.
“Any team that will allow me to play NRL, that’s the priority,” the Sharks skipper said when asked about his playing future beyond 2026. “If you look at those types of historic (things) – I’m sure the money is obviously a factor for everyone but it’s also cool to be part of an expansion club. That could (hold appeal) if that was an opportunity.”
McInnes has also been linked to the Perth Bears, who enter the NRL in 2027. And the fact he’s currently off contract for next season makes it ideal timing for Mal Meninga’s Bears. The Sharks skipper is one of 14 players at the club who are coming off contract in 2026.
But McInnes admits the form of teammate Jesse Colquhoun – who agreed a four-year extension with the Sharks this year – could force him to look elsewhere. Colquhoun took McInnes’ spot at lock during his injury absence but the Cronulla captain has been named to start at 13 in Sunday’s home game against the Tigers.
Xavier Coates and brothers linked to PNG Chiefs
Meantime, Storm and Maroons winger Coates is another big name who could follow Luai and Johnston to the Chiefs, who are reportedly also eyeing his younger brothers Phillip and Basil. The Melbourne flyer was born in Port Moresby and his mum hails from the Gulf Province of PNG, giving the family strong ties to the rugby league-obsessed nation.
PNG-born Storm winger Xavier Coates and his two younger brothers are among the names being linked with the NRL’s newest franchise, the Chiefs. Pic: Getty
(Cameron Spencer via Getty Images)
The eldest of the Coates brothers also made his international debut for the Kumuls in 2019 and was part of PNG’s 2022 World Cup squad, before switching his allegiance to Australia. He’s previously downplayed links to the Chiefs and is focused on returning to the NRL with the Storm, having been sidelined since February after undergoing Achilles surgery.
His 19-year-old brother Phillip is also off contract at the end of 2027 after signing a one-year extension at Brisbane this year. The Broncos academy prospect played a key role for the Burleigh Bears in their Queensland Cup premiership victory in 2025. While 18-year-old brother Basil has been making a name for himself for the Tweed Seagulls in the Under 19 Mal Meninga Cup for the Tweed Seagulls.
with AAP