Former Sydney Roosters player Joseph Manu was spotted traveling with PNG Rugby League general manager Michael Chammas in July 2026 [1].
The sighting suggests a high-profile recruitment effort by the National Rugby League's newest expansion club to secure an established superstar. If Manu joins the PNG side, it would provide the new franchise with immediate veteran experience and star power to attract fans.
Reports indicate the encounter took place at an airport, where Manu was seen boarding a flight with Chammas [1]. Other reports described the interaction as a meeting between the player and the PNG Chiefs boss [2]. The nature of these discussions is believed to center on a potential playing deal with the expansion team [1], [2].
Manu has been described as a code-hopping superstar, making him a primary target for a franchise looking to build a competitive roster from the ground up [2]. The move would represent a significant shift in the NRL landscape as the league expands its footprint into Papua New Guinea.
Neither Manu nor the PNG Rugby League officials have released a formal statement regarding the status of contract negotiations. However, the presence of the general manager during the player's travel indicates a direct line of communication between the athlete and the club's leadership [1].
The pursuit of Manu coincides with the broader strategic goals of the PNG expansion, which aims to professionalize the sport within the region and integrate top-tier talent into the local system [3].
“Joseph Manu was spotted traveling with PNG Rugby League general manager Michael Chammas in July 2026.”
The potential signing of Joseph Manu would signal the PNG expansion team's intent to be immediately competitive rather than relying solely on local development. By targeting a player with Manu's pedigree, the franchise seeks to establish commercial viability and athletic legitimacy in the NRL, while simultaneously boosting the profile of rugby league in Papua New Guinea.
