Sydney Roosters star Connor Watson says there\u2019s an extraordinary level of excitement building in Papua New Guinea ahead of the NRL\u2019s historic expansion into the nation.<\/p>\n
The Chiefs<\/a>, set to be based in Port Moresby, won\u2019t enter the NRL until the start of 2028 \u2013 and plenty of detail is still to be confirmed including their head coach.<\/p>\n Watson was part of a group of 16 Roosters players and staff that recently completed the gruelling 96-kilometre (~60-mile) long Kokoda Trail through PNG\u2019s Owen Stanley Range as part of their pre-season schedule.<\/p>\n That trek was designed to strengthen unity within the Roosters squad, but also offered the players and staff an insight into PNG<\/a>\u2018s deep-rooted connection with the game, which will only be enhanced over the next few years via the Chiefs.<\/p>\n NRL star details extraordinary PNG Chiefs buzz following gruelling pre-season adventure<\/p>\n 29-year-old Watson, who also stars in State of Origin for New South Wales, spoke about the Roosters\u2019 experience during their time in PNG on the SEN 1170 Breakfast radio show Down Under.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cWhen we got over there, there was a massive buzz.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery day, the back page was about who\u2019s coaching PNG (Chiefs) or what player they\u2019re getting. Even the porters we walked with were rugby league mad.\u201d<\/p>\n