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2024 NRL Signings Tracker: Iro, Fuller ink new deals
Cook Islands international Kayal Iro has signed a two-year contract extension with the Sharks, keeping the centre at the club until at least the end of 2026.
After biding his time over the past few seasons, Iro has been a revelation in 2024, having played every game since breaking into the team in Round 4.
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon is eager to see Iro progress as he gains more experience.
“We’ve always rated Kayal extremely highly,” Fitzgibbon said.
“He worked hard while waiting for his opportunity and has taken it with both hands this year.
“Kayal is still just 15 games into his NRL career and will only get better in the seasons ahead.”
Dolphins fullback Trai Fuller has agreed to a two-year deal that elevates him to the club’s Top 30 full-time squad and will cover the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
Fuller has made a big impression on his 10 games at NRL level, scoring five tries and filling in admirably at the back for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow,
“Trai has done everything right to get himself into this position,” said Dolphins CEO Terry Reader.
“Last year he had limited opportunity in the NRL but demonstrated his talent and development by being named Player of the Year in the Queensland Cup competition.
“This season he has showed he belongs in the NRL and the new contract is the reward for that.”
Former Queensland Origin prop Jarrod Wallace is set to join Catalans in coming days, the French Super League club has announced.
The Dolphins forward will join Catalans for the remainder of the season.
Wallace began his career at Brisbane Broncos, making his NRL debut in 2012. He then made the switch to the Titans ahead of the 2017 season, where he made 118 appearances, scoring 15 tries. He moved to the Dolphins in 2023.
The 32-year-old, who played 212 NRL games and 24 tries in his career, has also represented Queensland on six occasions.
Catalans coach Steve McNamara said: “To add a player of Jarrod’s quality and experience at this stage of the season is a huge boost to our squad. The depth he will add to our forwards is much needed and we look forward to welcoming him and his family into our organization.”
Tongan strike forward Sitili Tupouniua is set to join the Bulldogs on a four-year deal after being granted a release by the Sydney Roosters at the end of the season.
Tupouniua, who made his NRL debut in 2018 after progressing through the club’s pathways, has played 96 NRL games for the Roosters, scoring 28 tries.
The 27-year-old backrower has also played three Tests for Tonga.
“The Roosters and the people at the club will always be my family. I’m so thankful for all the opportunities I have had, and for the lifelong friendships I have made,” Tupouniua said.
“I’m keen to keep giving my all, playing my role and doing the best I can for the Roosters for the rest of this year.”
Young Manly playmaker Jamie Humphreys will join the Rabbitohs in 2025 on a two-year deal.
The 22-year-old made his NRL debut for the Sea Eagles in Sunday’s big win over the Knights, scoring the game’s opening try in a 44-6 romp at 4 Pines Park.
“Jamie is a player we have kept our eye on for a number of years and we have always been impressed by his style of play and his work ethic,” said Rabbitohs head of football Mark Ellison.
“He made his first-grade debut yesterday, scoring a try and kicking three goals, and we have seen him play a number of games in the Pre-Season Challenge. He has always played strongly at either hooker or in the halves.”
Sydney Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary will join Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead at Catalans next season after deciding to play on in the Super League.
Keary, who has won premierships with South Sydney and the Roosters, while representing NSW, Australia and Ireland, had announced his retirement earlier this year but will now continue playing in France.
“I am really excited to join Catalans Dragons. I am looking forward to contributing to the club’s success.” said Keary, who has signed a two-year deal with Catalans, whose coach Steve McNamara previously worked at the Roosters.
The 32-year-old playmaker won premierships with Souths in 2014 and the Roosters in 2018 and 2019, made his Origin debut in 2020 and played for the Kangaroos in 2018.
Keary represented his Irish heritage at the 2022 World Cup and will still be playing when the next World Cup is staged in the Southern Hemisphere in 2026.
McNamara said: “Luke will be a sensational addition to our team next season. He is an outstanding player, leader and person. We are very happy he has chosen to come to Dragons in 2025.”
England second-rower Elliott Whitehead will also join Catalans next season after agreeing to return to Perpignan on a one-year deal after a decade in the NRL.
Whitehead played for the Dragons from 2013 to 2015 before joining the Raiders in 2016 and has played 198 NRL matches, as well as 36 Tests, including the 2017 and 2022 World Cups.
His departure coincides with the arrival of fellow English forward Matty Nicholson, who will join the Raiders on a new three-year deal from the beginning of the 2025 season.
Nicholson made his Super League debut for Wigan in 2022, before joining Warrington in 2023, where he has gone on to cement himself in the starting line-up under the coaching of Sam Burgess.
The 20-year-old made his Test debut for England in 2023 alongside current Raiders forward Morgan Smithies against France.
He recently played in Warrington’s narrow loss to Wigan in the 2024 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.
Raiders CEO, Don Furner, said the signing of Nicholson would provide another young promising English player the opportunity to chase his NRL dream.
“The Raiders have had some wonderful success in having young English players come to Canberra and establish themselves as NRL stars,” Furner said.
“We’re looking forward to Matty joining us in 2025 and we wish him all the best for the remainder of the season with Warrington.”
Sea Eagles prop Josh Aloiai has signed a two-year contract extension that will see him remain with the club until at least the end of the 2027 season.
Aloiai, 28, has played 150 NRL games, 60 of those for Manly, while also representing Samoa at international level.
“I feel like Josh has been in as good as form as he has ever been in his career at the moment,’’ said Manly coach Anthony Seibold.
“Josh is a real mentor to the younger forwards in guys like Haumole Olakau’atu and Gordon Chan Kum Tong, amongst others.”
Titans skipper Kieran Foran has signed a one-year extension to remain at the club until the end of the 2025 season.
Next year will mark the New Zealand international’s 17th season in the NRL after debuting in 2009.
“My body is feeling good, and I feel like I’ve played some good football this season so far and while that’s the case, I’m keen to push on for another year,” Foran said.
The news comes after the Gold Coast’s rugby union convert Carter Gordon was granted an early release to begin training with the club. The 23-year-old will be part of Gold Coast’s extended squad this season before joining the club’s top 30 roster in 2025.
At Wests Tigers, local junior Luke Laulilii has been elevated to the NRL Top 30 for the remainder of the 2024 season.
The 18-year-old was on a training contract and made his NRL debut against the Raiders in Round 16 on the wing.
Papua New Guinea international Jack de Belin has signed a one-year contract extension with the Dragons
The 33-year-old has played 220 NRL games – all at the Dragons – since making his debut in 2011.
He has also featured in three State of Origins for NSW and three Tests for Papua New Guinea.
Veteran playmaker Chad Townsend will join the Roosters in 2025 on a one-year deal.
A premiership winner with the Sharks in 2016, Townsend has racked up 258 NRL games across his 14-year career.
He will join the Roosters after playing out his third and final season with the Nortj Queensland Cowboys.
“It’s great to be adding Chad’s experience to our 2025 roster, and we look forward to welcoming him to the club later this year,” said Roosters head of recruitment Daniel Anderson.
The Panthers have announced that Daine Laurie has re-signed with the club for the 2025 season.
Having re-joined the Panthers at the start of this season, Laurie has signed a one-year extension with the club.
“Re-signing with the Panthers means heaps to me because I love this club,” Laurie said.
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