The PNG Chiefs are poised to hold secret meetings with Cooper Bai in Port Moresby after the Gold Coast Titans granted the rising star permission to speak to rival clubs.
Bai, 19, is contracted to the Titans until 2027, but has told the club he doesn’t intend to extend his stay. The teenager, the son of Storm legend Marcus Bai, was prepared to go on the open market on November 1, but the Titans allowed the lock forward to fast track talks with rivals.
Bai was ruled out of the PNG Kumuls’ World Cup squad due to a hamstring injury, but has arrived in Port Moresby on Wednesday to discuss the prospect of becoming the Chiefs #008 signing.
Sources not authorised to comment publicly said the Storm and the Roosters are watching the situation with interest.
Except for English prop Matty Lees, all the Chiefs recruits are backs. Bai’s signature would also be significant due to his PNG roots and is one of the reasons the club is considering tabling a longer-term deal. He is also considered a player who could become the cornerstone of coach Willie Peters’ pack.
Sources not authorised to speak publicly have told this masthead the Chiefs are considering tabling an offer of up to four years worth about $3 million in a bid to land their man.
Bai has made 24 NRL appearances since making his debut in 2025 to announce himself as one of the game’s most promising prospects. Both the Roosters and the Storm unsuccessfully attempted to sign him when he was last off contract.
The news comes on an already momentous day for the Chiefs, who unveiled their logo and jersey.
In an intriguing twist, Marcus Bai is a member of the PNG Chiefs board. However, the former Storm winger said he would step back from any involvement to ensure there are no conflicts of interest.
“Thank you to [Titans coach] Josh [Hannay] and [owner] Rebecca [Frizelle] for what they did for him,” Marcus Bai told this masthead.
“He came home and said, ‘Dad, I feel like I owe the club.’ I said, ‘You don’t owe anything to anybody. You do what’s best for you. The club does what’s best for them, and you do yours. If you’re not happy, why stay another year? If you’re happy, stay there.’”
Bai said it was important he didn’t attempt to influence his son on his future.
“I have to step back,” Bai said. “I think the board is very supportive, and they’re dealing with it … In Papua New Guinea, we say it’s a ‘wantok system’ – he’s on the board, and his son is coming in.
“He’s got to earn it, and I think he’s earned it in his own right this year. But coming back here – my father’s name and my name are household names here, and he’s got his grandfather’s name.
“That’s something I’m wary of, and the board knows.”
Adrian Proszenko travelled to Port Moresby as a guest of the PNG Chiefs
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