The signing of Jarome Luai marks a significant turning point for Papua New Guinea's rugby league dreams.
Of all the insights gained from Luai's visit to Papua New Guinea, one detail stood out: the hole in the ground.
Before news broke about Luai's three-year contract and Alex Johnston's upcoming transfer to the Chiefs, the franchise was merely an idea.
Scheduled to enter the league in 2028, they face distinct challenges that no team has encountered in rugby league's extensive history.
While they had a coach and a name, to many fans, they were just a concept without substance.
Discussions of rugby league diplomacy, massive budgets, tax-exempt contracts, and the effort to unify a diverse nation often felt abstract until now.
When Chiefs officials took Luai to visit what would become their luxury compound, all they could show him was a mere hole in the ground.
He had to rely on their promises, but by agreeing to the highest per-season contract in rugby league history, he has given those promises tangible meaning.
This hole in the ground now symbolizes a beginning, as the sport enters its most exciting era since the Super League war.
Luai may be the first, but it's likely that many others will follow suit.
Typically, new teams face restrictions on what they can purchase with unrefined cash.
Take the Dolphins, for example, who, despite hefty investments, missed out on renowned players like Kalyn Ponga, Cameron Munster, and Reece Walsh upon entering the competition.