Chiefs hit Hudson Young hurdle as NRL sets his cap value at $1 million

The PNG Chiefs remain at the centre of the player market, but they've hit a hurdle in their pursuit of Hudson Young. The NRL has confirmed Young's salary cap value is $1 million, so PNG would have to count that figure even if he accepts their $900,000-a-season offer. Young is touring Port Moresby this week, and Canberra say they would consider an early release or swap if he asks. The Chiefs also have Cronulla's Briton Nikora firmly on their radar and want to pair him with Young in their back row. Titans prop Moeaki Fotuaika, the club's most-capped player, admits PNG's tax-free dollars have caught his attention, as he faces a significant pay cut on his current deal of more than $800,000 to stay on the Gold Coast. Penrith's Liam Martin is set to rule out PNG, with his manager saying he wants to stay at the Panthers if there's enough cap space left. Elsewhere, Manly have offered Tom Trbojevic a two-year deal worth about $1.75 million to keep him a one-club player, and have also tabled an extension to Lehi Hopoate. Off the field, Peter V'landys says his China trip sourced technology for NRL World, including hologram booths and player simulators, with the theme park aiming to open midway through next year.

By Peter Badel, Travis Meyn, Adrian Proszenko, CODE Sports — read the full story