NRL Papua New Guinea Chiefs

[Wahs_Ultras]

So a 3rd world country with twice our population? The way they were describing the place it sounded like Rarotonga

Maybe they need the whole arm guarding the stadium during a game lol

I mean I am a nobody and Luai is probably seen as a god now that he’s signed with the chiefs so I’m sure he will be given preferential treatment

 

[Ever Hopeful]

With Luai and Johnston they are probably already ahead of the Bears! Not quite, but definitely a bit different to where Perth were at this stage. PNG idolises league players, but I'd still feel uneasy. Life is cheap.

 

[Horriors2013]

Is it me, or have Perth had a worse time trying to get players over there, than the Chiefs have?

Wonder why that is, PVlandy?

Tax-free dollars and godhood is quite appealing for anyone.

 

[Horriors2013]

With Luai and Johnston they are probably already ahead of the Bears! Not quite, but definitely a bit different to where Perth were at this stage. PNG idolises league players, but I'd still feel uneasy. Life is cheap.

Imagine Luai, Boyd, Johnston. Not a bad start at all. Guarantees competitiveness I think.

 

[Horriors2013]

Luai signed on big money to try and get the Tigers out of a hole. He seems to be doing that, but really soon his contract is going to be an issue. With Madden going well, the Tigers are probably encouraging it

Just been listening to Benji on Fox. He was grateful for Jerome's contribution and for how he helped turn the club around. He said Jerome was transparent about the whole process and he goes with their blessing. He said it gave them more cash to retain other players. He's looking at it positively. I thought he handled the interview really well.

On another note, it's as if Benji has mirrored our culture over there. Standing by his loyal players. The way he spoke about Jerome- really good for team morale.

 

[John Nick]

Just been listening to Benji on Fox. He was grateful for Jerome's contribution and for how he helped turn the club around. He said Jerome was transparent about the whole process and he goes with their blessing. He said it gave them more cash to retain other players. He's looking at it positively. I thought he handled the interview really well.

On another note, it's as if Benji has mirrored our culture over there. Standing by his loyal players. The way he spoke about Jerome- really good for team morale.

And according to the interview Tigers waived his length of contract

 

[snake77]

When they start getting a few more names or at least this time next year It will be interesting to see the make up of their squad.

Then how long they retain players for.

The compound or the resort the NRL refers to it. Having new houses built for you is fine but living in a gated environment could get to you after a while.

An older player with a family it would be appealing for a few years to cash in before retiring. A new experience for your family.

If you are young and single. It might be a good environment to conentrate fully on your football. Get some money behind you. Think back to when you were in your 20s. The weekend was to hang out with your mates, meet girls. As we have seen with the player behaviour issues over the years. These guys can go out and live a good life. Play on Friday, out partying on Saturday.

They might get similar issue to the Warriors with Australians wanting to return home. Could have players sign get the money and move on quickly. Success will help.

 

[CWC]

When they start getting a few more names or at least this time next year It will be interesting to see the make up of their squad.

Then how long they retain players for.

The compound or the resort the NRL refers to it. Having new houses built for you is fine but living in a gated environment could get to you after a while.

An older player with a family it would be appealing for a few years to cash in before retiring. A new experience for your family.

If you are young and single. It might be a good environment to conentrate fully on your football. Get some money behind you. Think back to when you were in your 20s. The weekend was to hang out with your mates, meet girls. As we have seen with the player behaviour issues over the years. These guys can go out and live a good life. Play on Friday, out partying on Saturday.

They might get similar issue to the Warriors with Australians wanting to return home. Could have players sign get the money and move on quickly. Success will help.

It’s…quite a weird set up still lol, do they have their own pathway where the goal is 2/3 of players will be locals? Feels like a mercenary lol

 

[shuffle]

I can see Luai becoming a coach in the future or some sort of general manager role. Speaks really well and is a straight shooter.

 

[Playdaball]

I heard Soward on the Guru podcast taking about the likes of the May Bros, Lomax and Manu turning out for the Chiefs (PNG , NOT Waikato)

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Saw NRL360 and it sounds like bad news, it's literally the 360 reincarnate

PNG offers tax free salary so Luai's getting the equivalent of $2.2M before getting tax free 3rd party deals

They said Storm basically has 3 million dollar spine players

So I'm thinking that means they could get 4-5 million dollar players who will get a 20-30% pay rise, and PNG still have the cash to put together a normal regular team around these guys.

They could have the equivalent of Cleary, Luai, Burton, Haas and AFB

Yeah i didnt actually realize how amazing the tax break is.

Atm in Oz if you earn:
$500k you pay $180k in tax
$1million you pay $440k in tax
(Numbers off google/ai).

So, a player like Latrel Mitchell whose on a mill in Australia could in theory, take a pay cut in PNG for 800k and STILL result in their take home pay increase of over 200k.

You could easily have 4 million dollar players only take up 3.2 million of your cap. Bit of a 'buy 3 get one free' scenario lol.

Here's where I really think they'll make their money tho:
- A million dollar player in Australia is taxed at 44%, so take home pay would be $650k ish
- A young up and coming player like Healey signs on for $500k with PNG - his take home pay is $500k, only $150k less than the games elite stars....

I think those journeymen, and players that are on 3-600k are going to be lining up for this.

Tannah, on 400k here is probably earning about 280k after tax. If he signs on for 600k hes more than doubled his income...

 

[sup42]

If the chiefs continue is this trajectory of signing high quality nrl superstars, it will be interesting to see how long they actually last.
Chammas talking up PNG saying it’s extremely safe and there’s nothing to worry about is a bit of a stretch. I lived in a compound in PNG similar to the NRL one for 4 months and it was an eye opening experience. The only time I’d ever leave the compound was for work and with guards carrying AR’s. I ended up calling it quits after 4 months because the isolation was just too much. The money was great, but it wasn’t worth my own wellbeing. I recall people living in trees just outside the barb wired fence of the compound looking down on us when we were having a smoke outside. Even official airport workers tried bribing money out of me to get in through immigration .

Cheers for those Insights, I grew up on a lot of wild stories from my Uncle that lived their for decades. There won't be anyone in the trees on the Island eh unless they can land in a boat and avoid the high security patrols from private and Govt security people.

First whiff of trouble/unwelcomed guests the PNG Govt and Canberra will have a meeting about PNG's obligations and well what that would look like is the LRRU (Non tier one military special operations in Jungle warfare - equivalent to tier 2 like the Green Berets) would clear the Island.

And the new KUMUL23 special tactics Policing counter terrorism, extreme violent threats group would be stationed there till things cooled off.

That is aside from the already armed security services employed by Airways corp and the Chiefs franchise.

Those players and their families will be safer on that Island paradise in their sea view resort complex with separate from hotel guests in their brand new (finish building end of next year in time for preseason) seaside Chalets.

The NRL members and families will be safer there than NRL players families are anywhere else in the world.

 

[sup42]

Pretty sure it's a NRL specific agreement between the Aus govt and PNG govt.

Yep.

Unique world wide, a one off situation thanks to China.

Thankyou President Xi for giving us an exciting new NRL franchise to support! You Rock bro. Love you work.

 

[j_p]

Cheers for those Insights, I grew up on a lot of wild stories from my Uncle that lived their for decades. There won't be anyone in the trees on the Island eh unless they can land in a boat and avoid the high security patrols from private and Govt security people.

First whiff of trouble/unwelcomed guests the PNG Govt and Canberra will have a meeting about PNG's obligations and well what that would look like is the LRRU (Non tier one military special operations in Jungle warfare - equivalent to tier 2 like the Green Berets) would clear the Island.

And the new KUMUL23 special tactics Policing counter terrorism, extreme violent threats group would be stationed there till things cooled off.

That is aside from the already armed security services employed by Airways corp and the Chiefs franchise.

Those players and their families will be safer on that Island paradise in their sea view resort complex with separate from hotel guests in their brand new (finish building end of next year in time for preseason) seaside Chalets.

The NRL members and families will be safer there than NRL players families are anywhere else in the world.

How would education work for the players children?

 

[sup42]

How would education work for the players children?

There is an international school on the Island.

They have everything they need really. I am sure they will have plenty of family and friends come to stay as well, there is of course a bloody great hotel next door with bars and night club, restaurant, barber shop for thos all important NRL bad haircuts and outdoor movie theater.

There is a bank on the Island. Obviously having team Doctors is helpful eh, but I suspect for Hospital level treatment they will fly players back to Australia/after initial assessment and stabilization of more serious issues (Port Moresby has one fairly well regarded private hospital).

If it weren't for all the sinister movies about resorts and Islands and gated communities people would kill to live in a resort like this year in year out. Wouldn't surprise me if some players and their families barely travel from there apart from family commitments.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

There is an international school on the Island.

They have everything they need really. I am sure they will have plenty of family and friends come to stay as well, there is of course a bloody great hotel next door with bars and night club, restaurant, barber shop for thos all important NRL bad haircuts and outdoor movie theater.

There is a bank on the Island. Obviously having team Doctors is helpful eh, but I suspect for Hospital level treatment they will fly players back to Australia/after initial assessment and stabilization of more serious issues (Port Moresby has one fairly well regarded private hospital).

If it weren't for all the sinister movies about resorts and Islands and gated communities people would kill to live in a resort like this year in year out. Wouldn't surprise me if some players and their families barely travel from there apart from family commitments.

Bloody hell Sup are you looking at lacing up the boots and trying out for the Cheifs, you seem to know an awful lot about the set up and how its all looking over there

 

[snake77]

Living in a gated community will suit some players and their families. Others it might wear on them.

As we have seen with the Warriors. Australians want to return to Australia for various things. Homesickness, relationship break ups (closer to kids), family illnesses.

Those things still occur even if you are getting a tax free salary. Tax free money may alleviate the homesickness.

I doubt we have just been unlucky. You'd suspect the Chiefs would get hit by these things as well, as the players are still moving country.

 

[sup42]

Living in a gated community will suit some players and their families. Others it might wear on them.

As we have seen with the Warriors. Australians want to return to Australia for various things. Homesickness, relationship break ups (closer to kids), family illnesses.

Those things still occur even if you are getting a tax free salary. Tax free money may alleviate the homesickness.

I doubt we have just been unlucky. You'd suspect the Chiefs would get hit by these things as well, as the players are still moving country.

You certainly would want to go in with your eyes wide open and having had a good discussion with the partner eh.

But the extra coin does mitigate some of the issues provided you have a mind set of using the extra cash to make life easier while you are there. Employment opportunities for Wives is a problem, having something to do with your day, you can't just pop off to do a nine five. Some will be able to work at the resort for a pittance if they are paid at local rates (I would be inclined to do that just for some structure in my day in the Wives/partners situation) others may get work say at the school, apart from that Wive's and partners would be looking at a online business.

But having that extra cash you could in effect 'pay' your partner an income in a unconventional shared marital property sense, call the tax free cash 'Her disposable income earning for living on the job with me". That would be money your partner can do what the hell they want with, money for them not hubby and kids. I would have that paid directly out of your earnings into her account end of. That way your wife is not 'stuck' emotionally and financially and you carry less guilt and responsibility, your wife in essence can just fly back to Australia weekly if she chooses or whatever eh, set up a business herself, what I am talking about is freeing your main support from feeling chained to your decision to live on an Island.

How is this different from having shared bank accounts like many couples? Well shared bank accounts in my mind, with good relationships comes with responsibility and obligation, (we all know the feeling when we bought something on a whim and have had the guilts from shared money eh lol).

As for calling this community gated, yeah it is but the Island is gated by the Ocean, and as soon as you walk through that security wall to the Hotel beach resort you're in different world.

As for affairs and wot not, yep that is gonna happen anywhere and you are right though, people want to go home when it does.

 

[sup42]

Bloody hell Sup are you looking at lacing up the boots and trying out for the Cheifs, you seem to know an awful lot about the set up and how its all looking over there

Clarification:

The gated community is in the Airways hotel complex Port Morsby, not the Island.

The Hotel is owned by Airways LTD.

Same crowd that own Loloata Island and Resort.

Part of the deal is the players and their families have access to use the luxury apartments on Loloata.

I must admit I thought they were gonna be living on the Island full time. The PM hotel complex is a much less isolated set up eh. Probably preferable really for families. Faster to fly home too.

 

[snake77]

How is this different from having shared bank accounts like many couples? Well shared bank accounts in my mind, with good relationships comes with responsibility and obligation, (we all know the feeling when we bought something on a whim and have had the guilts from shared money eh lol).

Like my father used to say about my mother who was predominantly a stay-at-home wife but would occasionally get some cash for cleaning the neighbours' house.

There is our money, and there is her money.