“I’m telling you, you’re gonna get a lot of Kiwis coming up to watch those league games,” Luxon said, before pointing to Marape and adding: “He’s just built the best league team in the world.”
Luxon’s comments came just hours after he was left red-faced after confusing the Warriors with the Super Rugby side, the Waratahs.
Speaking to media in Palau about Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his favourite NRL team, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Luxon was discussing their loss to the Warriors last month.
“I gave [Albanese] a hard time about it last night,” Luxon began. “It’s going to be the Waratahs … it’s going to be the Warriors versus the Dolphins is what I’m thinking,” he said, before correcting himself.
The Waratahs saw the gaffe and shared the article on their Instagram page with the caption: “Shout out our Big Fan the NZ PM”.
Luxon did not make the same mistake when discussing the Warriors alongside Marape, calling on the PNG Prime Minister to get “all in behind the Warriors” this year before the Chiefs make their NRL debut in 2028.
If you do end up taking Luxon’s advice and travel to PNG to watch the 13-man code, however, it might pay to check the SafeTravel website first.
PNG is currently listed at Level 2 on the New Zealand Government’s SafeTravel website, with travellers advised to “exercise increased caution”.
There are higher warnings for some parts of the country. Hela, Enga and the Southern Highlands are currently listed at Level 3, with New Zealanders advised to avoid non-essential travel because of “ongoing violent tribal clashes and politically motivated unrest”.
SafeTravel also warns travellers about armed and unarmed carjackings, advises against driving at night and says demonstrations can turn violent with little warning.
That means following Luxon’s prediction could look very different to the traditional NRL road trip for Kiwi fans.
Rather than a short flight across the Tasman to Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne, supporters heading to see the Chiefs will be travelling to a country where the New Zealand Government has specifically warned of elevated safety and security risks.
Safety and security have been among the biggest talking points surrounding the Chiefs’ entry into the NRL, alongside the tax-free financial incentives.
A residential development is being built at the Airways Hotel, with 67 fully furnished apartments allocated to Chiefs players, staff and their families.
The development is being designed as a secure, resort-style environment, with residents to have access to facilities including gyms, swimming pools, medical services, cafes and a barber.
Players have been given tours of what the facilities will look like before putting pen to paper, as the franchise attempts to remove as many barriers as possible to attracting elite talent.
And the Chiefs have already made a serious start on building the team Luxon believes can become the best in the world.
The club has signed seven players for its inaugural 2028 season, including four-time premiership winner Jarome Luai, NRL record try scorer Alex Johnston, Panthers star Brian To’o and former Kiwis star Joseph Manu.
Roosters utility Connor Watson, former Parramatta and Newcastle outside back Zac Lomax and English forward Matty Lees round out the Chiefs’ confirmed recruits.
Rugby league is the national sport of PNG.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.