“There are obviously [tax] perks. It will be interesting to see how everything looks in two years’ time when all the creases have been ironed out and problems solved.

“There are financial benefits. There might be fringe players here who want to go over for the chance to become regular first-graders, and those who want to experience a different culture.

“If you’re getting paid $1.6 million and not getting taxed on it, it might not be as hard as you think to get [a marquee player].”

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has spent a lot of time in Papua New Guinea, and believes there will be a numer of players willing to make the move, especially with the tax concessions. “It’s a beautiful country that has a lot of beautiful people,” Meninga said.

A total of 41 per cent of players had represented just one club, a further 41 per cent had played at two, 13 per cent had played at three and 5 per cent had played for four.

Of those on the move, 48 per cent said their decision boiled down to issues with their previous club, including the coaching and high-performance set-up (22 per cent) or a poor culture (21 per cent). A further 42 per cent shifted because they were told their current club wouldn’t offer them a new deal.

“Shoulder-tapping is a blight on the culture of too many clubs and has forced players to find new employers or run the risk of facing some form of retribution or exclusion,” Newton said.

“It’s an area we are constantly vigilant on, as we are with the whole workplace environment at clubs, club staff, high-performance standards and facilities.

“Our survey results prove that players are looking at more than just dollar figures when they move clubs, with their families, workplace environments, and playing opportunities topping that list of preferences.”

Factors relating to new clubs were influential for 40 per cent of players indicating they are seeking holistic improvements and improved career prospects rather than just money. Notable draws for players were improved playing opportunities (56 per cent), better locations for family and personal life (35 per cent) and enhanced culture (20 per cent).

“With the announcement of PNG these survey results really show that the game will need to do more than throw money at players and offer tax incentives if expansion clubs are to build really competitive squads,” Newton said.

“Some clubs still need to look at the bigger picture for players and what a new contract will do for their careers, their personal lives, their families and their legacies.

“That goes for any expansion club whether it be PNG, or Perth, New Zealand, Queensland or any of the other options the Commission is looking at.”

Players were asked to rate their club on a number of different levels, resulting in them being an overall satisfaction rating. South Sydney was the top-ranked NRL club.

“As a club we’re naturally pleased and proud to score so highly in an independent survey completed by the players’ association,” said Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly.

NRLW players were also polled and club satisfaction was highest at Parramatta.

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“We have made significant investments in our women’s program to provide the staff, support and infrastructure necessary for our female players to succeed,” said Parramatta CEO Jim Sarantinos.

“It’s wonderful to see that our players appreciate these efforts, but it’s also important to recognise that they have played a key role in shaping the culture they are a part of.”

Players were also quizzed about their relationships with their agents, who combined make more than $14 million in client fees. The survey found those players with between two and five seasons of experience were the cohort most dissatisfied with their managers.

Additional reporting Christian Nicolussi