The NRL premiership trophy is back in safe hands after an embarrassing mix-up saw rugby league's most prized possession make an unscheduled tour across Australia.

Sent down to Melbourne for a promotional shoot ahead of Sunday's grand final between the Storm and Brisbane, the trophy somehow found its way onto a Qantas flight to Perth with NRL officials admitting they spent most of the morning none the wiser as to its whereabouts.

The trophy, a sculpture based on one of rugby league's most enduring images involving an embrace between rival players Arthur Summons and Norm Provan following the 1963 grand final, had been checked in as general luggage by the NRL's official photographer.

He was due to pick it up on arrival in Melbourne but it was instead located in the cargo of a flight from Sydney to Perth.

Upon arrival it was put straight onto a flight back to Sydney with NRL chief executive David Gallop admitting to a few heart flutters when told the NRL's prized possession was missing.

"A moment of being anxious but obviously it was located fairly quickly," Gallop said.

"It will certainly be here until Sunday night and then it's either going to Brisbane or Melbourne.

"I think this is one of those things that happens with airlines form time to time but I know it will be safe and sound and at (Telstra Stadium) on Sunday night."

Gallop even tried his best to put a positive spin on the gaffe, claiming the incident only came about as a result of the game's national success.

"I guess you're only going to get this if you've got teams out of Sydney," Gallop said.

"It's further evidence that the game's expansion outside Sydney has been a successful one and thrown up some challenges over the years including today."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP