'Like an obligation': Johnston on his PNG Chiefs deal
The PNG Chiefs have signed their second player with record-setting try-scorer Alex Johnston formally putting pen to paper.
Alex Johnston is eyeing a glorious South Sydney swansong before fulfilling his patriotic “duty” with the PNG Chiefs.
Johnston on Wednesday officially announced his commitment to the Chiefs for the NRL expansion club’s entry in 2028.
“Being a one-club player my whole career, it was a big decision to make,” the 12-cap PNG Kumuls hero told reporters in Sydney.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“But PNG coming into the NRL was sort of a blessing in disguise. If I was ever going to play for another NRL club, PNG coming in sort of was meant to be.”
The 2014 Rabbitohs grand final winner said he felt an “obligation” to represent his adopted homeland.
“Having my PNG heritage, it was almost like a duty or an obligation,” the 31-year-old said.
“When the team got announced, I felt like I had to go over there and represent my family, my nan, as best I can.”
The NRL’s record tryscorer is the second player to commit to the Chiefs, after four-time premiership-winner Jarome Luai last week became the club’s inaugural signing.
Like Luai, Johnston will be upping and moving a young family with three children to the poverty-stricken nation.
He swatted away any safety fears.
“It’s going to be great to have some change of scenery for the family and experience what it’s like over in a third-world country as well, get a sense of gratitude instilled in the kids will be good,” Johnston said.
“I’ve been over plenty of times and safety’s not my concern at all. Particularly for if you’re a rugby league player over there, the only concern is if you’re going to shake too many hands or get too many photos - your face is hurting at the end of the day.
“They just absolutely love you. They’re not going to do anything to you at all. It’s probably the safest place in the world being a rugby league player and being a family of a rugby league person.”
Although he can’t wait to head north for a “nation-changing” experience, the dazzling winger is intent on bowing out from the Rabbitohs with a bang.
“I’ve got another year and a half years here at South Sydney, a couple of premierships would be nice and off we go from there,” Johnston said.
Under Wayne Bennett, in the super-coach’s second stint at Redfern, the Rabbitohs are running third and Johnston is confident the star-studded side can contend for the 2026 title.
“I have a strong belief in the team that we have,” the 251-game NRL veteran said.
“When we play the way we know we can play, we know we can beat any team.”
The Chiefs’ coup comes just two months after Johnston surpassed the legendary Ken Irvine to become the most prolific tryscorer in premiership history.
Before his Chiefs’ introduction, Johnston should have the honour of again representing the Kumuls at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, this time on home soil.
Ironically, the Chiefs’ first two signings are set to go head to head in Port Moresby when Papua New Guinea face the Luai-led Samoa on October 24.
“It’ll be a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to it,” Johnston said.
“Touch wood, everything goes right and healthy. The last one (World Cup) I was a part of was amazing over in England, so this time it’s gonna be amazing being here in PNG.”
