Papua New Guinea Chiefs bosses are reportedly fuming at Alex Johnston and his management for leaking news of his signing with the NRL's newest club despite a deal not being agreed to.
Nine's Danny Weidler says Chiefs general manager Michael Chammas was taken by surprise on Tuesday when news of Johnston's signing broke.
The Chiefs, as well as Johnston's current club South Sydney, are yet to confirm or deny the news but the record-breaking Rabbitohs winger as much as announced it himself via an Instagram story.
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It came hours before news of Jarome Luai's agreement to join PNG in 2028 broke – a signing that was confirmed by the Chiefs and Tigers on Wednesday.
"The Chiefs are not happy that Johnston or his management took the liberty to make the Souths star the No.1 Chiefs signing," Weidler said on 9News.
https://x.com/danny_weidler/status/2048958609988706339?s=46
"Firstly, because they have not even presented him with a contract to sign. And secondly, because there was no promise to make Johnston the team's No.1 signing.
"In a further sign of the Chiefs' disquiet, there has been no media release from them or Souths about the upcoming exit.
"Chiefs general manager Michael Chammas confirmed that Johnston has not done a deal, and confirmed their main focus right now is Luai."
The try-scoring machine is contracted with the Rabbitohs until the end of 2027, and while players generally don't arrive at free agency until 12 months out from their deal expiring, a clause in Johnston's contract reportedly allowed him to negotiate with the Chiefs at any time.
Johnston, 31, has PNG heritage through his grandmother on his mum's side and he's played Test football for the proud Pacific nation.
When he crossed for his 213th NRL try in a clash with the Roosters at Allianz Stadium in March, he took the Australian rugby league try-scoring record off Ken Irvine, who had held the mark since 1969.
Johnston recently spoke publicly about his interest in playing for the Chiefs.
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"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 told Nine.
"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."
A major selling point for the Chiefs as they piece together their inaugural roster is the guarantee of tax-free dollars – a controversial allowance that applies to both salaries and third-party agreements.
"Any revenue they earn in PNG is tax-free. It's like you're doing a tax return in PNG, it's all tax-free," ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys told The Sydney Morning Herald in March.
"Playing in PNG will set them up for life.
"We used to have the Brisbane Broncos as a one-city team. This is a one-country team, where people are fanatical about rugby league.
"Can you imagine 10 million people following one team? It's a monopoly because it's the only sport that's played there. People don't realise how big PNG is going to be."
The Chiefs are primarily funded by the Australian federal government, which has committed $600 million to the bold venture over a 10-year period.
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