Cameron Munster given permission by Storm to talk to PNG Chiefs

Champion Melbourne playmaker Cameron Munster has been given permission to speak with the PNG Chiefs, but the incoming NRL-owned franchise is likely to hold off until the November 1 transfer window before exploring halves partners for prize recruit Jarome Luai.

Flush with tax-free cash, the Chiefs’ recruitment machine has already made an impact on the competition more than 18 months before they become its 19th team.

PNG have signed four-time premiership winner Luai, the game’s record try scorer Alex Johnston, as well as former NSW State of Origin utility Connor Watson for their inaugural season in 2028 and are aiming to add cross-code backs Joey Manu and Zac Lomax to their foundation squad.

In an indication Munster is also entertaining the prospect of a big pay day in PNG in the closing stages of his career, he asked Melbourne for clearance to open talks with the Chiefs before November 1 and has been given the green light to do so while he is sidelined with injury.

The 31-year-old, who hasn’t played since the State of Origin decider in Brisbane on July 8, is not due back from knee surgery for another three weeks, presenting an opportunity to travel to Port Moresby for a guided tour of the PNG team’s facilities and the city as Manu did this week and Lomax will in the coming days.

Munster is yet to make any plans to visit the Pacific nation, though, and his discussions with the Chiefs do not mean he will necessarily end up there.

Munster, who becomes a free agent at the end of the 2027 season, has left open the possibility of extending his deal at the Storm, who want to re-sign him for two more years.

PNG’s preference, meanwhile, is to wait until after November 1 to try and secure another leading half.

At that point, rival clubs will be free to approach the sport’s best player, Penrith No.7 Nathan Cleary, unless he signs a new deal with the Panthers before then, while others, such as Sam Walker (Sydney Roosters), Matt Burton (Canterbury), Zane Harrison (Gold Coast) and Ethan Sanders (Canberra), are also coming off contract after next season.

The Munster camp appears keen to get ahead of the pack.

One of the finest players of the past decade, he would be another big-name acquisition for PNG.

But he would be 33 before the Chiefs begin their first pre-season, and with Luai already heading there it would leave them with two five-eighths rather than a natural halfback.

Melbourne chairman Matt Tripp said the club would love Munster to finish is career at the Storm.

“But equally, if PNG want to table an offer that we can’t compete with, he’s going to have some thinking to do, and we wouldn’t begrudge him that,” Tripp said.

“He’s been a great servant of our club and a valued member of our club always, and we want to do the right thing by him.”

Tripp said Melbourne wanted to extend Munster’s contract by two years but knew they could not compete with the tax-free riches that have given the Australian government-backed Chiefs a major advantage in the player market.

“They’re the rules, and as ridiculous as they may be, we need to abide by them,” he said.

The Chiefs and Munster’s agent, Braith Anasta, who also represents PNG coach Willie Peters, were contacted for comment.

While Munster’s future is yet to be determined, Lomax is close to joining PNG.

The former NSW winger is in the first of a two-year deal with Super Rugby team Western Force after switching codes when the proposed rugby breakaway competition Rugby360 fell over and his former team Parramatta blocked a move to the Storm.