season opener

Jason Demetriou, recently dismissed as head coach of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, has emerged as a leading candidate for the inaugural coaching position of the Papua New Guinea Chiefs, the NRL’s 19th team set to join the competition in 2028.

Demetriou, who also currently coaches the PNG Kumuls national team, expressed his strong interest in the role, telling Code Sports, “If there’s an opportunity to be involved with PNG, then I’d love that. I’m passionate about PNG and about the people of PNG and, more importantly, what rugby league can do for that country.”

Appointed Kumuls coach in 2024, Demetriou’s commitment to the nation extends beyond the international arena. He anticipates leading the team into the NRL, with the franchise slated to begin play in 2028. Despite currently holding the head coaching position at the London Broncos, a role secured following a call from Brisbane legend Darren Lockyer in November, Demetriou remains focused on the potential opportunity with the Chiefs.

Lockyer has indicated he would not impede Demetriou’s pursuit of the PNG position. “I coach the Kumuls, so they know where my interest is, as does the London club,” Demetriou stated. “I’m focusing on what I can control at the moment and that’s here with London, but when the right opportunity comes down the track, I will gaze at it.” Demetriou is under contract with the Broncos through 2026.

Demetriou believes the potential of Papua New Guinea’s rugby league talent is immense. “It’s scary how much potential there is in PNG,” he said. “It’s a huge job (for the head coach). If the NRL gets the development right, in five or six years time every NRL club will be going to PNG to find talent. They will be in the shop window.” He highlighted the current difficulty for PNG players to gain recognition within the NRL system, noting that a lack of exposure in Australian competitions hinders their recruitment.

Demetriou’s tenure at South Sydney began promisingly in 2022, inheriting the role from Wayne Bennett and guiding the team to a preliminary final. But, the 2023 season saw a decline in performance, culminating in the team missing the finals. He was subsequently sacked in early 2024 after a poor start to the season, losing six of their first seven matches.

Despite this setback, Demetriou feels the experience has made him a better coach. “That’s an aspiration — to get back into the NRL,” he said. “I’m not content with how I finished. I showed early on in my stint at Souths that I’ve got more to offer. It’s about finding the right club. I’m looking forward to doing what I need to do here at the Broncos and earning the right to get that shot again in the NRL. It’s not until you go through it where you take your real lessons. I’m without doubt a better coach for it.”

While Demetriou is considered a frontrunner, he faces competition from several other coaches. Adrian Lam, the PNG-born coach of the Leigh Leopards in Super League, and Brad Arthur, the current coach of the Leeds Rhinos, have also been linked to the position. Willie Peters, another Super League coach, and even former NRL mentors Wayne Bennett and Ivan Cleary have been mentioned as potential candidates. Cleary and Bennett’s contracts expire at the end of 2027, opening the possibility of a move to the Chiefs.

The PNG Chiefs have recently appointed Lorna McPherson as their inaugural CEO and Michael Chammas as their general manager, signaling a rapid progression in the establishment of the franchise. The selection of a head coach remains a critical step in the team’s development.