NRL to allow salary cap exemption for clubs that sign up to two PNG players

The NRL’s salary cap exemption plan to fast-track PNG player development has received the full support of their chief executive, while prompting questions as to whether a Perth expansion team will receive the same treatment.

PNG chief executive Andrew Hill has backed the NRL’s plans to fast-track the development of their emerging stars after the governing body agreed to give club’s full salary cap dispensations if they sign a PNG player

The NRL confirmed they would allow clubs to sign two PNG pathway players outside of the salary cap in either their top 30 squad or to their supplementary player list.

Hill said the initiative would help ahead of PNG’s entry into the competition in 2028.

“Two years ago we commenced the PNG NRL franchise academy program that now covers six regions and caters for more than 700 players,” Hill said.

“We are starting to see the results both on and off the field.

“The junior Kumuls have shown that with continued work on player development and coach education there are plenty of young players with great potential. The Australian Schoolboys team beat the Junior Kumuls by one try in 2023 and the 2024 Test ended in a draw.

“We are appreciative of the support from both the NRL and the clubs to improve and fast track the talent that exists in PNG.

“We look forward to continuing discussions around the finer detail of the proposal.”

Papua New Guinea expansion bid team (L-R) Sandis Tsaka chairman of the PNG RFL, Stanley Hondina CEO of PNG RFL and Andrew Hill PNG NRL bid officer. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Established NRL stars including Jack de Belin, Alex Johnston and Xavier Coates aren’t eligible nor are any Super League based players. A PNG pathways player would be defined as a player contracted as a PNG Hunters player and/or contracted within the PNG catchment area (or a combination of both) for two or more continuous seasons prior to his first top 30 or supplementary list contract.

North Sydney Bears director Billy Moore believes there should be some dispensation for new franchises if the NRL expands to 18 or 19 teams by 2028.

Talks between the NRL and Western Australian government continue in the hopes of resurrecting the Western Bears.

“I think a Perth team, if accepted, should be entitled to some sort of concessions,” Moore said.

“The thing to remember is Redcliffe hit the ground running when they came into the league and they did it so well, it’s easy to forget just how difficult it can be for a new franchise coming into the NRL market.

“I think the Bears should be given a longer runway to sign players, so perhaps a Perth team should be able to approach NRL players before November 1 to give them more time to build a competitive roster.

“The AFL has provided assistance to their new franchises so it’s something the NRL should consider for Perth and PNG.”

REVEALED: NRL’S SHOCK SALARY CAP EXEMPTION PLAN

There are plans to grant clubs a full salary cap exemption should they sign up to two PNG players as soon as next season in a bid to assist with the minnow nation’s development of players before their entry to the NRL in 2028.

It is understood the NRL’s proposal would see club’s incentivised to sign a PNG player by making their entire salary exempt from next year’s $11.8 million cap.

The NRL has flirted with the prospect of granting cap exemptions to code-hoppers in the past to try and entice talent from rival codes.

However, this is potentially a significant decision which allows clubs to have two players in their top 30 sit outside the cap.

The plan is still in the consultation process but the NRL would not allow established PNG stars including Alex Johnston, Xavier Coates or Jack de Belin to be exempt.

Nor would any Super League based players be eligible. Instead the NRL want to promote PNG-based pathway players.

PNG's Morea Morea. Picture: NRL Photos

Alex Max. Picture: NRL Photos

It is understood the proposal includes;

• Salary cap exemption that incentivise clubs to sign PNG pathway players into a top 30 or supplementary list contract. This is to accelerate the expansion of the elite player talent pool prior to PNG’s entry in 2028.

• PNG Pathways Player would be defined as a player contracted as a PNG Hunters player (ie playing in the relevant Australian State league competitions) and/or contracted within the PNG catchment area (or a combination of both) for two or more continuous seasons prior to his first top 30 or supplementary list contract.

• To be classified as a PNG pathways player the player must be a PNG citizen or national and must not have been contracted to a club in Australia, NZ or any other country prior to their first top 30 or NRL supplementary list contract.

• Clubs may seek a salary cap exemption for up to two PNG pathways players per year.

• PNG Pathways Players are only eligible to receive the exemption from one club.

• Current NRL contracted players are ineligible.

Gairo Voro. Picture: NRL Photos

Sanny Wabo. Picture: NRL Photos

Standout players for the PNG Hunters include Sanny Wabo, Morea Morea, Alex Max, Gairo Voro – all of whom are expected to be among those who will attract interest from NRL clubs.

A minimum wage top 30 contract is worth $135,000 next season. A supplementary player will earn $80,000 with clubs having to have at least four on their books and a maximum of six per club.

They are also entitled to a $3000 bonus per game if they play first grade. PNG are continuing with their junior development across the country highlighted by a junior Kumuls development camp held last month for 25 of the best up and coming stars.

PNG’s entry into the competition was announced in December as part of a $600 million deal with the backing of the Australian government.

Originally published as NRL to allow salary cap exemption for clubs that sign up to two PNG players