The PNG Chiefs have continued their strong recruitment drive ahead of their inaugural NRL season in 2028, securing the signature of England international and St Helens premiership-winning forward Matty Lees.
Lees becomes Player 004 in the club. He joins a group of elite players committed to helping build a club that will represent the hopes, pride and passion of Papua New Guinea on the biggest stage in rugby league.
A multiple Super League Premiership winner and England representative, Lees has established himself as one of the toughest and most respected front-row forwards in the game. Having made more than 170 professional appearances, he brings elite experience, leadership and a proven winning mentality to the PNG Chiefs program.
The PNG Chiefs would like to thank St Helens for their professionalism throughout the process and look forward to welcoming Matty to Papua New Guinea following the completion of his commitments with the club.
His signing provides another major boost to the club’s roster as the Chiefs continue assembling a team capable of competing with the NRL’s best from day one while building a strong foundation for long-term success.
Beyond his achievements on the field, Lees is widely respected for the standards he sets every day. His professionalism, resilience, humility and team-first mentality are qualities the Chiefs believe will play an important role in shaping the culture and identity of the club.
Following the announcements of Players 001, 002 and 003, the signing of Lees represents another important milestone as the PNG Chiefs continue building towards their historic NRL debut in 2028.
PNG Chiefs General Manager Football Michael Chammas said securing a player of Lees’s calibre was another important step for the club.
“Matty Lees is one of the toughest and most respected forwards in rugby league. He has built his career through hard work, consistency and an uncompromising approach to the game. Those qualities are exactly what we are looking for as we build our roster and culture for 2028. We are delighted to secure Matty as Player 004 and look forward to seeing the impact he’ll have both on and off the field,” he said.
PNG Chiefs CEO Lorna McPherson welcomed the latest signing and said Lees embodies the values and Standards the club is seeking to establish from day one.
“As we continue building the PNG Chiefs, we’re focused on bringing in quality people as much as quality Players. Matty has earned enormous respect throughout his career through his professionalism, humility and commitment to his team. As Player 004, he becomes part of the foundation group that will help establish the standards and identity of our club for years to come,” he said.
The signing of Matty Lees continues the steady growth of the PNG Chiefs roster as the club builds towards its historic NRL debut in 2028.
With each announcement, the vision for the club continues to take shape. The PNG Chiefs are assembling a roster built on talent, character, professionalism and leadership, creating a platform that can inspire future generations of Papua New Guinean rugby league players and supporters.