BREAKING: NRL’s PNG team land first-ever player in huge coup

The Papua New Guinea Chiefs have their first player.

The NRL’s 19th franchise has secured the signature of the all-time try-scoring leader Alex Johnston according to Code Sports.

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It is a big coup for the Chiefs and football boss Michael Chammas, who recently met with Tigers co-captain Jarome Luai in a bid to land four-time premiership winner.

But in the meantime, the Chiefs have at least locked down a try-scoring weapon and PNG hero in Johnston, who has already played for and captained the Kumuls at the international level.

Code Sports reports that Johnston has South Sydney’s blessing, having already flagged earlier in the year that he would have interest in signing with the Chiefs if the opportunity presented itself.

“I’m signed for this year and next year at Souths and after that, if I’ve still got some miles to go in the legs, I’ll definitely be talking to the Chiefs,” Johnston said on Channel Nine’s 100% Footy.

“It would be pretty cool to be one of the first signed for a Papua New Guinean team.

“They absolutely love footy over there and I’ve got a good relationship with the fans and the prime minister over there. I think that’s something I’d look forward to.”

SEA EAGLES TAKE BIG STEP TO FEND OFF UNION THREAT

In other news, the Sea Eagles have taken the first step towards extended promising young playmaker Joey Walsh.

Foxsports.com.au understands that Manly has started preliminary talks with Walsh over an extension.

It comes after Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said he wanted to try lure the talented youngster back to rugby union.

“This is the sort of young talent we’d love to have in the game,” he told Yahoo Sport Australia.

“We know we can’t retain all players but if you look at what our game provides and the opportunities at international level, I think it’s a really exciting time for him if he was to have a look at returning to rugby.

“We’d love to see it and are across it. The more great athletes and players we have in the system, the better it is for rugby.”

Already earmarked as the club’s halfback of the future after Daly Cherry-Evans’ departure, former Manly coach Anthony Seibold had been hesitant to throw Walsh into the NRL too soon before he was relieved of his duties.

Interim coach Kieran Foran has also held off starting Walsh and he doesn’t have any reason to change that approach with Jamal Fogarty and Luke Brooks playing well for the resurgent Sea Eagles.

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