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PNG Chiefs Court Reds Teen Phenom for 2028 NRL Launch

Tax-free offers from a 2028 NRL entrant put fresh pressure on Rugby Australia’s plans to keep a 19-year-old Wallabies hopeful.

Overview

  • The Papua New Guinea Chiefs met Treyvon and Kadin Pritchard in Brisbane to pitch spots on the club’s inaugural 2028 roster.
  • The expansion team is dangling tax-free deals, with a reported $300,000 package roughly matching the take-home from a $500,000 rugby contract.
  • Treyvon Pritchard, 19, broke into the Queensland Reds this season, has eight Super Rugby games, and scored his first senior try last week.
  • He remains contracted to Queensland Rugby through 2027, and incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss says he will fight to keep him in the code and in Test contention.
  • With most NRL players barred from talks until November 1, the Chiefs are targeting rugby talent, a tactic that could push Rugby Australia to table earlier, bigger offers than usual.