May 28, 2026 — 6:30pmRoosters star Connor Watson has become the third player to sign for the Papua New Guinea Chiefs.Watson is contracted to the Roosters for next year, but has been given permission to explore other options. The NSW Blues representative will join the Chiefs on a two-year deal from 2028, but is likely to look for a “gap year” at another NRL club next season.Connor Watson is PNG’s latest recruit.Getty ImagesThat stopover is most likely to be at St George Illawarra, sources not authorised to comment have indicated, although other clubs have also expressed an interest in a 12-month term.Chiefs chief executive Lorna McPherson recently took Watson and his partner on a tour of Port Moresby to give them an understanding of the lifestyle. The pair were sufficiently impressed with their experience to commit to the franchise.Watson joins Wests Tigers co-captain Jarome Luai and record-breaking South Sydney winger Alex Johnston as high-profile Chiefs recruits.It’s a strong start for the Chiefs, who are expected to become a major player in the market when a slew of big names become free agents on November 1. Many Panthers stars - including Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Brian To’o, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny and Isaiah Papali’i - could be among them should they not recommit to Penrith beforehand.Jarome Luai is the PNG Chiefs’ top recruit. Peter RaeWatson can play at hooker and lock, as well as cover several positions from the bench. The Chiefs also feel the former Knights utility has leadership qualities.The Dragons have held talks with Watson and he is likely to join Scott Drinkwater, Keaon Koloamatangi, Luke Metcalf and Phillip Sami as a 2027 recruit.The Chiefs have also made another key off-field appointment, that of former NRL and Super League player Rhyse Martin as football operations manager. During his playing career, Martin represented the Bulldogs, English clubs Leeds and Hull KR, and PNG in 18 Tests. He also captained the Kumuls.“Rhyse has had an incredible career as a player, but he still has so much to offer the sport,” said Chiefs general manager of football Michael Chammas.“He has the trust of our coach Willie Peters from their time together at Hull KR and they will continue to work closely. Anyone who has ever met Rhyse will talk about the quality of person he is and how passionate he is about Papua New Guinea. The combination of those two things makes him such an important off-field signing.”From our partners