Star fullback Reece Walsh has signed a four-year contract extension with the Broncos until the end of the 2029 season.
At his best, the 22-year-old is one of the most exciting players in the NRL his re-signing is the first major contract development under new Brisbane coach Michael Maguire.
Walsh has already made 74 NRL appearances since making his debut for the Warriors in 2021, notching 34 tries and 57 try assists.
Despite a disrupted 2024 season in which he played just 14 NRL games, Walsh still managed 14 tries, 13 line breaks, 8 try assists and 62 tackle breaks in running for 154 metres per game.
New Zealand rugby union international Tyrone Thompson has switched codes to play alongside his twin brother Leo at the Knights next season.
Thompson, who played hooker for Chiefs in Super Rugby, represented the All Blacks and Māori All Blacks in 2022 but has been keen to follow Leo, the Kiwis prop, to the NRL.
The former New Zealand Schoolboys rugby union representative will join Newcastle’s top squad on an NRL development contract, having recently completed his commitments with Rugby New Zealand.
“Tyrone is a very gifted player, with a burning desire to follow in his brothers’ footsteps and play in NRL,” Knights head of recruitment Peter O’Sullivan said.
“He has proven to be a highly skilful and powerful player in Rugby, representing at international level for the Māori All Blacks and All Blacks XV, after being in elite junior pathway teams and programs for many years.
“I vividly remember watching the brothers play for Napier boys high, Leo was a centre and Tyrone an athletic forward, they were both elite players, who stood out.
“To be prepared to walk away from where he is comfortable in the All-Blacks system and have a crack at the NRL, shows his desire to follow Leo into the NRL and he can’t wait to begin that journey to becoming a Knight.”
Kangaroos star Ben Hunt has been granted an immediate release by St George Illawarra to sign with another NRL club for the 2025 season.
The Dragons captain and chief playmaker will depart the club immediately despite having one year remaining on his contract.
Hunt made a significant impact during his seven seasons with the Dragons, playing 147 games and serving as captain since 2021.
“This decision was not easy and was not taken lightly, but we need to do what is best for the club at this time,” said Dragons CEO Ryan Webb.
“After extensive discussions with Ben and his management, it became clear that this is the best path forward for both parties. It allows the club to openly explore the player market and focus on the future.
“Ben has been an important part of our club and we are grateful for his contributions. We wish him and his family all the best in their next chapter.”
The Titans have also granted halfback Tanah Boyd an early release from his contract to join the Warriors.
Boyd made his NRL debut at the Titans in 2019, going on to play 69 games across six seasons on the Coast.
The 24-year-old was originally contracted to the Titans until the end of the 2025 season but will now join the Warriors on a two-year deal.
A former Queensland under-20 representative, Boyd joins incumbent halfbacks Te Maire Martin, Luke Metcalf and Chanel Harris-Tavita.
“Tanah’s arrival will create healthy competition among our halves,” Warriors coach Andrew Webster said.
“He brings a great kicking game, strong game management skills and he’s also a proven goal kicker. We’re really looking forward to having him at our club.”
Classy centre Paul Alamoti has been rewarded for a stunning season at Penrith with a contract extension through to the end of 2027.
A tryscorer in the Panthers’ grand final win over the Storm, Alamoti was already contracted with the premiers for next season and has extended his deal until the end of the 2027 season.
The 20-year-old made his first-grade debut in 2023 and has played 35 NRL games across the past two seasons.
“Paul is an exceptionally talented and respectful young man, both on and off the field,” said Panthers general manager of football Shane Elford.
The Knights, meanwhile, have extended the contract of youngster Dylan Lucas until at least the end of 2027.
Lucas made his NRL debut against the Dolphins early in the 2023 season and has racked 28 games, looking equally comfortable at back row or centre.
The Dragons captain and chief playmaker will depart the club immediately despite having one year remaining on his contract.
Hunt made a significant impact during his seven seasons with the Dragons, playing 147 games and serving as captain since 2021.
“This decision was not easy and was not taken lightly, but we need to do what is best for the club at this time,” said Dragons CEO Ryan Webb.
“After extensive discussions with Ben and his management, it became clear that this is the best path forward for both parties. It allows the club to openly explore the player market and focus on the future.
“Ben has been an important part of our club and we are grateful for his contributions. We wish him and his family all the best in their next chapter.”
The Titans have also granted halfback Tanah Boyd an early release from his contract to join the Warriors.
Boyd made his NRL debut at the Titans in 2019, going on to play 69 games across six seasons on the Coast.
The 24-year-old was originally contracted to the Titans until the end of the 2025 season but will now join the Warriors on a two-year deal.
A former Queensland under-20 representative, Boyd joins incumbent halfbacks Te Maire Martin, Luke Metcalf and Chanel Harris-Tavita.
“Tanah’s arrival will create healthy competition among our halves,” Warriors coach Andrew Webster said.
“He brings a great kicking game, strong game management skills and he’s also a proven goal kicker. We’re really looking forward to having him at our club.”
Classy centre Paul Alamoti has been rewarded for a stunning season at Penrith with a contract extension through to the end of 2027.
A tryscorer in the Panthers’ grand final win over the Storm, Alamoti was already contracted with the premiers for next season and has extended his deal until the end of the 2027 season.
The 20-year-old made his first-grade debut in 2023 and has played 35 NRL games across the past two seasons.
“Paul is an exceptionally talented and respectful young man, both on and off the field,” said Panthers general manager of football Shane Elford.
The Knights, meanwhile, have extended the contract of youngster Dylan Lucas until at least the end of 2027.
Lucas made his NRL debut against the Dolphins early in the 2023 season and has racked 28 games, looking equally comfortable at back row or centre.
The Knights have also signed forward Brodie Jones to a one-year extension.
Jones, 26, is a Cessnock Goannas junior who made his way through every Knights junior age team, along with junior representative and Australian Schoolboys teams, on his path to becoming a full-time contracted NRL player in 2020.
The versatile forward has chalked up 72 NRL games with Knights director of football Peter Parr praising his “tremendous work ethic and genuine ability to come up with big plays at crucial moments”.
Warriors fullback Taine Tuaupiki has signed a one-year contract extension through to the end of 2026.
Tuaupiki joined the Warriors on a train and trial deal in late 2022 before clinching a one-season contract for the 2023 campaign.
The 25-year-old has gone on to play 11 games across two seasons, averaging 152 metres per game in 2024.
“Whether he’s coming into the NRL side or playing in the New South Wales Cup, Taine gives us so much quality,” said Warriors coach Andrew Webster.
“It’s not just the quality in his play but the energy and enthusiasm he provides every day.”
Meanwhile, Storm captain Harry Grant has taken up his player option to stay in Melbourne until the end of the 2026 NRL season.
The two-time Dally M Hooker of the Year made his debut for Melbourne in 2018 and has now played 101 NRL games, including 86 for Storm.
In his first year of captaincy, the 26-year-old led Storm to the 2024 NRL minor premiership and the grand final.
“It’s been an incredible year for the club and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do together over the next few years,” Grant said.
“It wasn’t a hard decision to make given the club has put trust in me with the captaincy this season. We have a lot of natural leaders in the squad too which helps both on and off the field. The potential and depth of our roster really excites me.”
The Eels have announced that Fijian star Maika Sivo has been granted a release from his contract for the 2025 season to pursue opportunities that will allow him to further his career elsewhere.
Sivo joined Parramatta in 2019 when he finished as the NRL’s top try scorer. Over his 115 match NRL career Sivo has brought excitement, power, and become a fan favourite.
Eels GM of Football Mark O’Neill said: “We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Maika, his partner Korina, and his family for their time with us. We wish them all the very best in their future endeavours, both in rugby league and beyond.”
In other news out of Parramatta, back-rower Matt Doorey has extended his contract through to the end of 2026 while Joash Papalii and Jordan Samrani have joined the club.
Hard-working forward Jackson Ford has signed a two-year extension with the Warriors through to the end of the 2027 season.
Ford’s new deal comes on the back of Ali Leiataua, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak all being secured on new terms in recent weeks.
“Coming to the Warriors has been a great career move for Jackson,” said Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.
“He immediately impressed with his work ethic and attitude, establishing himself as a first-choice back-rower for us over the last two seasons.”
Ford has played 43 games for the Warriors since joining the club from the Dragons in 2023.
Coming off the two most productive campaigns of his 11-season NRL career, Watene-Zelezniak will be with the Warriors until the end of 2027.
Watene-Zelezniak was named in both the Dally M Team of the Year and the Players’ Dream Team in 2023 after scoring a club record 24 tries in 20 games and following it up with 15 tries in 22 appearances this year.
“There’s no doubt the move to the Warriors in 2021 has been of tremendous benefit to Dallin’s game,” said McFadden.
“He had the best season of his career in 2023 and maintained his level this year by again finishing as the club’s top try scorer.
“He thrives on being at the Warriors and living in Auckland, matching his enthusiasm and energy on the field with the same sort of passion off it.”
Meanwhile, Wests Tigers have announced contract extensions for Reuben Porter and Solomona Faataape.
Both players have signed development contracts for the 2025 season after making their NRL debuts with Wests Tigers in 2024.
“Solomona and Reuben have both earned their place in our extended squad and I’m looking forward to seeing their continued progress over the coming months,” coach Benji Marshall said.
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