Updated July 26, 2026 — 4:46pm, first published 1:52pm
Australian rugby has had a major win with rising superstar Treyvon Pritchard turning down the PNG Chiefs and Sydney Roosters to sign a long-term contract extension with the Queensland Reds and Rugby Australia.
But the Chiefs haven’t wasted any time in moving on, with cross-code star Zac Lomax confirming on Sunday he will be headed to PNG on a three-year deal in 2028.
Treyvon Pritchard scores his first Super Rugby try for Queensland in May. Getty Images Pritchard became the most in-demand teenager across both codes this year after the Chiefs made him one of their first targets ahead of the 2028 arrival of the NRL expansion club.
In his first year out of school, Pritchard made his debut for the Reds in Super Rugby Pacific and the utility back – who plays centre, wing and fullback – was dominant for the Junior Wallabies at the recent under-20s world championships in Georgia.
This masthead revealed Pritchard, 19, and his 21-year-old brother, Kadin (who plays for the Brumbies), were pursued by the PNG Chiefs and made tax-free offers after meeting club officials in Brisbane. The Roosters also joined the chase and recently expressed interest in bringing Treyvon to the Bondi club when his deal with rugby expired at the end of 2027.
But after Rugby Australia and the Reds countered with a strong offer for Treyvon to extend his stay, the outstanding youngster agreed to terms on a three-year deal late last week, according to informed sources unable to comment publicly due to the confidentiality of the negotiations.
Zac Lomax has signed with the PNG Chiefs. Getty Images The PNG Chiefs, who saw Pritchard as having a future in the halves in league, were informed of his decision last week.
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