RLPA open to November 1 change for NRL expansion clubs

While the new club is yet to determine its name, colour and logo in the short term, officials will be forced to wait two years to begin planning a roster.

NRL rules prohibit clubs from approaching contracted players until the final year of their deal, meaning PNG would have to wait until November 2026 to start any negotiations.

The Dolphins had similar restrictions ahead of their 2023 entry, but the fact they were only announced in October 2021 meant they could start recruiting almost immediately.

Melbourne's Cameron Munster was one that got away from expansion club the Dolphins. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Even then their desire to land a big target early prompted issues and an eventual rule change, following their publicised talks with an under-contract Cameron Munster.

PNG, and a potential 2027 outfit-based in Perth, would also have greater recruitment challenges, given the need to lure players from either overseas or interstate. 

One potential option would be to allow new franchises to approach players earlier than 12 months out from their first pre-season to allow time to build rosters.

NRL rules already allow for clubs to have a right of reply before one of their players signs elsewhere and expansion teams would have no interest in inducing a player to walk early.

Any such change would require an amendment to the collective bargaining agreement between the Rugby League Players Association and NRL.

The existing clubs would also need to be involved, where it is thought there could be some push back.

"Realistically the recruitment runway the Dolphins had was not ideal and you would think many lessons were learned which could prevent the same issues repeating this time around," Newton told AAP. 

"So we believe amendments should be strategically explored and agreed upon well before an expansion team needs to start recruiting.

"For the current CBA, we worked proactively with clubs and the NRL to negotiate changes to the contracting restrictions that have helped to keep the current November 1 window really watertight. 

"Amendments can be made to those current restrictions, but it takes the clubs and NRL coming together with the RLPA to work through the possibilities and ensure the amendments are mutually beneficial to players and current and expansion clubs."

PNG officials are well aware they will have to lean on the talent of other NRL clubs on their entry, but want to eventually reach the point where several of their players are home grown.

To date, the Queensland Cup's PNG Hunters are yet to produce an NRL player some 10 years after their entry. Several of their products have featured in England.

But PNG bid CEO Andrew Hill is confident enough talent exists on the ground, with 720 players currently in elite academies and the Junior Kumuls drawing with the Australian schoolboys side this year.

"The physical testing we have done over the past two years suggests PNG boys and girls are on par physically," Hill said.

"Where they have lacked is they have never been given the opportunity with the right coaching and the right facilities.

"We've already seen enormous progress in the past two years and to think we have another three years before we come into the competition."