St Helens have introduced that their captain and England prop Matty Lees will be a part of new NRL franchise PNG Chiefs from 2028.
The PNG Chiefs will enter the Australian competitors in 18 months’ time and grow to be the 18th workforce. Perth Bears take part 2027 because the seventeenth.
After making an announcement with their first signing in four-time Premiership winner Jarome Luai, the franchise has now pulled off one other large coup in Lees who’s famend as one of many greatest names in Tremendous League.
St Helens mentioned Lees had activated an NRL break clause in his contract.
“Matty has had an ambition to play in the NRL for some time, and we respect that, particularly after so many years of putting his body on the line for us,” St Helens CEO Eamonn McManus mentioned in a press launch.
“He had an NRL break clause in his current contract for 2028 and, subsequently, in flip, he has proven respect to us by honouring his contractual obligations to the complete.
“We are going to want him and his household each success in his new journey in Papua New Guinea when the time comes, however that’s clearly a while away but.
“There is much, much more for Matty to achieve with the Saints before then, and I’m confident that he will.
Matty Lees has signed for brand spanking new NRL franchise Papua New Guinea Chiefs
Lees has performed for St Helens since 2017 and was a key determine within the aspect that received 4 Tremendous League Grand Finals in a row from 2019 to 2022. He additionally was concerned within the monumental World Membership Problem win over Penrith Panthers.
He has since taken on the captaincy of Saints from the 2026 season however suffered a knee harm in his aspect’s Problem Cup semi-final loss to Wigan that would maintain him out for the rest of the marketing campaign.
The PNG Chiefs might be coached by present Hull KR head coach Willie Peters, who secured a historic treble for the Robins in 2025 earlier than including a World Membership Problem win over Brisbane Broncos.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Highlights of the Tremendous League sport between Huddersfield Giants and St Helens
“The last 10 years playing for this club have meant absolutely everything to me,” Lees mentioned in a press launch.
“This club is family. It has seen me grow from a young lad coming through the academy, making my way into the first team, to having the honour of being named captain.
“Typically in life, when a possibility comes, you need to take it on. Enjoying within the NRL has been a dream of mine for a really very long time, and the chance that has been introduced to my household and me is one which I couldn’t flip away from.
“I will forever be grateful to the club, the fans, my teammates and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey.
“That mentioned, I nonetheless have one other season to play right here, and my focus stays on doing every little thing I can to assist convey extra success and silverware to this nice membership.”
2026 Super League – key dates and what to look out for
- Super League in Paris: Sat June 6: Catalans Dragons vs Wigan Warriors (Paris), 6.30pm UK (Sky Sports)
- Magic Weekend: July 4-July 5
- Rivals Round reversed: July 23-July 26
- Elimination Play-offs: September 19-September 20
- Play-off semi-finals: September 26-September 27
- Grand Final: October 3, Old Trafford
Sky Sports will again show every game of the Super League live this season – including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining five matches each week shown on Sky Sports activities+
