While the plan was for Jarome Luai to be unveiled as the club\u2019s historic first signing<\/a> on Tuesday afternoon, that was quickly thrown out the window when reports came out that Johnston was leaving South Sydney<\/a> at the end of 2027 to join the Chiefs. <\/p>\n The Daily Telegraph\u2019s David Riccio reported on NRL 360 on Tuesday night that his understanding is that no contract has been signed, although Johnston took to his Instagram story earlier in the day to effectively confirm the news.<\/p>\n \u201cYessssss sirrrrrrr,\u201d he wrote in the caption, sharing a post from the Post Courier on his move to the Chiefs.<\/p>\n While Riccio said he had \u201chope\u201d there is not a backflip, he added that the Chiefs brass were certainly not impressed with how things unfolded on Tuesday.<\/p>\n \u201cI understand Alex Johnston\u2019s agent was quick to get this news out ahead of the Jarome Luai signing,\u201d Riccio said. <\/p>\n \u201c… I don\u2019t think it\u2019s done many favours with the PNG Chiefs.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Chiefs aren\u2019t happy about it… this is a landmark moment for the newest franchise and with the greatest respect to Alex Johnston, we absolutely love him as a footballer and love the fact he wants to head back home and give back to his family\u2019s heritage, but they were waiting for the Jarome Luai announcement.\u201d<\/p>\n Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/p>\n Inside the PNG pitch that landed Luai | 00:58<\/p>\n NRL 360 co-host Braith Anasta, who is also player agent to some of the biggest names in the game including Cameron Munster, said he is confident the Chiefs are \u201cnot going to knock back\u201d Johnston but agreed it wasn\u2019t a smart move from his management.<\/p>\n \u201cHas his management done him any favours? No. It\u2019s really silly,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n \u201c… But look at him \u2014 he\u2019s a hero. The highest try-scoring record in the NRL, an all-round good bloke and I couldn\u2019t imagine the Chiefs backflipping or telling him it\u2019s not there but there\u2019s a bit of bad blood.\u201d<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776909012_441_poster-fallback.png\"\/)
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