Revealed: The trip that led Chammas to key PNG role

Michael Chammas has revealed that the trip to Las Vegas with the Sydney Roosters was the catalyst to his pivot as General Manager of Football at the PNG Chiefs.

Chammas has built a reputation on being the NRL’s premier news breaker but it was his left-field appointment as PNG GM that sent shockwaves throughout the rugby league world.

A week with Roosters coach Trent Robinson and chairman Nick Politis in 2024 inspired Chammas to pursue the unique opportunity to build the 19th NRL team.

“The reason I got into journalism was that I played rugby league but I wasn’t good enough to get to the level I wanted to,” Chammas told SEN 1170.

“For me, it was all about how I could stay involved in rugby league. The best way I found was journalism so I’ve been doing that for the better part of 20 years.

“In 2024, I got the chance to be alongside the Sydney Roosters in Los Angeles on their way to Las Vegas.

“I got to be inside the inner sanctum with Trent Robinson and Nick Politis who invited me in to the camp.

“I sat in team meetings, on the bus, training sessions and I was able to get a first look at what it’s like inside (an NRL club).

“That was the first real time that I realised that I wanted to do more than just write about the game. I want to be involved in it.

“That curiosity led to me asking questions of a lot of people and eventually, the opportunity from the NRL (presented itself) from Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo to lead PNG.

“It’s something I’m very grateful for.”

The appointment of Chammas drew instant criticism from all sections of rugby league which cited his limited experience as an administrator.

Whilst Chammas has accepted the criticism, he maintains that he has built a strong rapport with key stakeholders in the NRL that will come in good stead when constructing the team.

“I come in with 20 years knowledge of the game,” Chammas added.

“People in the game like agents and players have been ringing me since I was announced.

“I don’t know everything. I’m not naive to the fact that I have a lot to learn. I’ve also got a pretty good headstart on a lot of other GM’s.

“I know the lay of the land and know the people in the game who have actually reached out to me.

“Journalism is a 24/7 work ethic so I’m not worried about that part. There are things in my skill set that I need to add.

“My role in the next few months is to get people around me to help me in other areas.”

The Chiefs are set to join the NRL as the competition’s 19th team in the 2028 season.