Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has congratulated the appointment of Willie Peters as the inaugural head coach of the PNG Chiefs, describing it as a “major and decisive step” towards Papua New Guinea’s historic entry into the NRL in 2028.
Prime Minister Marape said the appointment followed a thorough and credible international recruitment process led by the club’s board and management, in partnership with the National Rugby League.
“The appointment of a head coach is a crucial step in the entire clockwork of building a competitive team,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“I commend the chairman, board, and CEO for running a transparent and professional process, and I thank the NRL for ensuring the right systems were followed in selecting a coach of high calibre.”
Prime Minister Marape said Mr Peters brings strong credentials to the role, including success in the UK Super League and experience in elite-level rugby league programmes.
“This is the type of leadership we need as we build towards fielding our first competitive team in 2028,” he said.
The Prime Minister also welcomed Mr Peters’ commitment to relocate to Papua New Guinea with his young family ahead of the club’s debut, noting that his early arrival would allow him to work closely with management in establishing the team’s structure, recruitment pathways, and culture.
Importantly, Prime Minister Marape said the key leadership framework for the club is now in place.
“We now have the board appointed, the CEO and team manager in position, and now the coach. The leadership structure for the team is now in place,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape emphasised that the PNG Chiefs would operate independently from political influence, with all technical and operational decisions left to qualified professionals.
“The team is not for politicians like me to interfere in. It is a professional sporting organisation and must be managed at arm’s length,” he said.
“Our role as Government is to provide policy support, moral support, and resource backing — while allowing the experts to do their job.”
He acknowledged the strong partnership with NRL leadership, including Chairman Peter V’landys and CEO Andrew Abdo, whose confidence in Papua New Guinea’s bid was instrumental.
“When the NRL accepted our bid, there were many sceptics. Today, both their reputation and ours are aligned in ensuring this team succeeds,” Prime Minister Marape said.
Looking ahead, the Prime Minister said the Government would focus on building strong national support for the team through sponsorships and a nationwide supporters’ base.
“I will personally take a lead role in mobilising a strong supporters and sponsorship network to ensure the financial sustainability and national backing of this team,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape also highlighted the importance of establishing strong development pathways linking the PNG Hunters, domestic competitions, schools, and regional talent pools across the Pacific and northern Australia.
“We want a strong core of Papua New Guinean players, supported by the best talent available. This is about building a truly competitive team that represents our nation with pride,” he said.
“This is a very big step forward. With the coach now secured, it is system go as we move towards assembling our team for 2028.”
Background
The PNG Chiefs, set to become the NRL’s newest franchise in 2028, have appointed Willie Peters as their inaugural head coach following a competitive international recruitment process.
Mr Peters, currently coaching Hull KR (Hull Kingston Rovers) in the English Super League, was selected ahead of a strong shortlist of candidates after final interviews conducted by club leadership in consultation with the National Rugby League.
He brings extensive experience in elite rugby league, including success in the Super League and involvement in high-performance coaching environments.
His appointment marks a key milestone in preparations for Papua New Guinea’s entry into the NRL, as the club begins building its playing roster, systems, and culture ahead of its inaugural season.