Recent updates indicate that the PNG Chiefs will cease efforts to sign Hudson Young after the Canberra Raiders allowed him to explore a meeting with the new team.
The Origin representative received an initial offer of a three-year contract totaling $1.1 million per season, marking the highest salary in Canberra's history.
Young was eager to engage with the Chiefs following interest expressed by the 19th NRL team in acquiring him.
Raiders CEO Don Furner authorized Young to meet with the Chiefs and visit facilities in PNG later this month while he recovers from an Achilles injury.
Nevertheless, new developments have arisen concerning the Chiefs' interest in Young.
It was previously noted that contracts registered by the Chiefs would be approved by the NRL salary cap auditor as long as they align with the player's market value verified by the NRL head office.
This matter was highlighted in a recent CEOs meeting, although Hudson Young was not specifically mentioned.
Officials have informed the PNG Chiefs that the proposed figure, initially reported as $950,000 and later as $900,000, will not be sanctioned by the salary cap auditor.
More recently, NRL clubs have yet to receive the latest benchmarking document intended to aid them in signing players according to market values.
The document for 2025 showed the average salary for the top five back-rowers at $887,635, featuring players like Manly's Haumole Olakau'atu and Jeremiah Nanai from the Cowboys, along with David Fifita, who accepted a pay cut to join the South Sydney Rabbitohs this season.
Tax-free salaries and third-party sponsorship opportunities have become pivotal, raising concerns about the future of the sport since these benefits are linked to a ten-year agreement between the Australian and Papua New Guinean governments.