Cameron Munster has been granted permission to negotiate with the PNG Chiefs in a move that could land the expansion side their second NRL premiership-winning playmaker.
Five-eighth Munster earns a seven-figure salary on his Melbourne deal, which expires at the end of next year, and would ordinarily be unable to negotiate with rivals until November.
Munster could yet re-sign with the Storm, where he has played 251 games since his NRL debut in 2014.
But AAP have been told the Storm have allowed their longest-serving active player to entertain a move to the Chiefs, who will become the NRL’s 19th team from 2028.
It has set the stage for Munster to form a potent halves combination with Jarome Luai, the four-time premiership-winning former Panther who became the Chiefs’ inaugural signing in April.
The Chiefs’ roster, assembled by journalist-turned-football manager Michael Chammas, is shaping as elite more than 18 months before they play their first game.
Aside from Luai, the Chiefs have already secured the NRL’s greatest-ever tryscorer in Alex Johnston and former New South Wales utility Connor Watson.
In recent days, they have been linked to cross-code stars Zac Lomax and Joey Manu, who were both top-tier outside backs before moves to rugby union.
The possible arrival of Munster could end up as the biggest signing of the lot.
The 31-year-old is Queensland’s captain in State of Origin and won the 2017 and 2020 premierships with the Storm.
He has had a mixed 2026 season at a lukewarm Melbourne side but is still considered one of the league’s premier halves, winning Dally M five-eighth of the year three times.
Munster is currently sidelined with a knee injury so will miss July 24’s away trip to face South Sydney but is expected back in the final weeks of the regular season.
By Jasper Bruce and Melissa Woods in Sydney
