The Papua New Guinea Chiefs have put their pursuit of Canberra Raiders and NSW Origin back-rower Hudson Young on hold, after the NRL intervened to clarify that any contract the expansion club registers must reflect the player's true market value — a figure that appears to exceed what PNG had budgeted to spend.
Young, 28, had become the focal point of growing tension around PNG's market power after he declined to sign a three-year, $3.3 million deal — the richest contract in Raiders history — to explore his options with the incoming club. Canberra's offer equates to $1.1 million per season, and it is understood PNG had budgeted a maximum of $950,000 per year for the forward.
NRL Steps In to Set the Ground Rules on Young's Market Value
Raiders chief executive Don Furner moved to bring the matter to a head by granting Young early permission to negotiate with PNG ahead of his contract expiry on November 1, and also to tour the club's Port Moresby facilities later this month. Furner subsequently raised the issue of market valuation with the NRL's salary cap auditor.
The principle was reinforced on Wednesday when ARL Commission chair Peter V'landys addressed a fortnightly CEOs meeting, reiterating that PNG must register player contracts at what NRL head office determines to be fair market value — without referencing Young by name.
Sources familiar with the negotiations, speaking on condition of anonymity given their sensitivity, say the Chiefs have been informed that their $950,000 figure is unlikely to be accepted by the NRL's salary cap auditor. With Canberra's $1.1 million-a-year benchmark now in play, PNG faces a significant financial hurdle to land their key forward target.
Benchmarking Data Adds Complexity to Young's Valuation
The situation is complicated by the fact that clubs have not yet received an updated player benchmarking document, which is used to determine market values based on comparable salaries across the competition. The most recent available data, from 2025, placed the average wage of the top five highest-paid second-rowers at $887,635 — a figure that included Manly's Haumole Olakau'atu, North Queensland's Jeremiah Nanai, and David Fifita, who accepted a reduced salary when he moved to South Sydney late last year.
While Young is widely regarded as one of the best back-rowers in the competition, his valuation sits in complex territory between that benchmark average and Canberra's record offer.
PNG's Structural Advantages Raise Broader Competition Concerns
The Chiefs' ability to offer tax-free wages and significant third-party income opportunities has already drawn concern from rival clubs and league officials, particularly when contrasted with the signing challenges facing the Perth Bears, who begin their first pre-season in less than two months.
PNG's recruitment team — led by coach Willie Peters, general manager of football Michael Chammas, and recruitment chief Liam Ayoub — are also wary of the club being used by player agents or rival clubs to artificially inflate player prices.
The Chiefs have made a rapid start to building their 2028 roster, signing seven players including Jarome Luai ($1.2 million), Alex Johnston, Zac Lomax, Joey Manu, Brian To'o, Connor Watson and Matty Lees. Notably, none of those deals included ratchet clauses — as is common across the NRL — and neither does Canberra's offer to Young.
Young Open to PNG Move, But Talks Now Frozen Until November
Speaking at the Blues awards night earlier this week, Young was candid about his thinking. "I have no interest in playing for another NRL club," he said, adding that coach Ricky Stuart had been kept fully informed. "It's more just the opportunity, with the PNG thing, and he's been open and I've been transparent with him on how I feel and what I want to do."
From PNG's perspective, all talks are now effectively paused until November 1, when Young enters standard free agency. Chiefs officials had been quietly confident of securing his signature, noting that every player who has previously toured PNG has gone on to sign — but the NRL's market valuation ruling has reshaped the landscape considerably.
