In this bulletin:
1. RUGBY — Expanded season, tweaked finals system confirmed for 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season
2. RUGBY — ‘New interest’: Aussie clubs back Super Rugby changes
3. RUGBY — Doge gets Flying Fijians recall for Wales clash
4. RUGBY LEAGUE — Chan for PNG Chiefs
5. FOOTBALL — Hekari Women FC leave it late for comeback win
6. FOOTBALL — Leimata Simon scores hat-trick in big win for Tafea FC
7. RUGBY — Bulldogs winger Marcelo Montoya to retire from NRL, Jahream Bula sign four-year extension with Tigers
8. RUGBY LEAGUE — ‘Impossible’: Inglis doubts Blues can win Origin series
9. RUGBY LEAGUE — Why NRL’s toughest man will feel ‘hopeless’ in NSW camp
10. RUGBY LEAGUE — Junior Tupou back at Tigers
PAC – RUGBY: RUGBY.COM.AU PACNEWS SPORT: Thu 02 Jul 2026
Expanded season, tweaked finals system confirmed for 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season
SYDNEY, 02 JULY 2026 (RUGBY.COM.AU)—Super Rugby Pacific has confirmed a revamped structure for 2027, featuring an expanded regular season and a tweaked finals system.
The competition, set to kick off on 12 February, will revert to a 17-round regular season, with teams playing two more games than last year.
The new format means fewer byes, with teams having just one across the regular season.
This will be followed by a new-look finals system that sees the top two sides automatically qualify for the semi-finals, with teams ranked third and fourth hosting sudden-death elimination finals.
The winners will progress as away teams for the following week’s fixtures, with the top-ranked team set to face the lowest-ranked qualifier.
The Grand Final will then be held on Saturday, 26 June, hosted by the top-ranked qualifier.
“We’re delighted to have developed a structure that pushes the limits of our competition window to deliver more games and give every fan more opportunities to see their favourite teams in action,” Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said.
“At the same time our new-look Finals Series ensures teams will be more desperate than ever to finish in the top two to secure a week off, and the top four to host a home Final, while every Finals game will be a genuine do-or-die contest on the road to the championship.”
A key feature of next year’s season will be the Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test, with teams set to be named following round nine.
The competition also confirmed this would come in place of Super Round, following its success in Christchurch in April.
Further details surrounding the draw and what will happen during this period will be announced in the coming weeks.
“The introduction of the Anzac Bledisloe to our calendar will help ensure every match means more, with Test jerseys up for grabs from the moment we kick off in February,” Mesley added.
“Off the back of the success of Super Round in 2026, we are working diligently to confirm it remains an integral part of our calendar next year.
“We’re already looking forward to the storylines, drama and excitement that this new structure will help deliver for Super Rugby Pacific in 2027.”
It comes as the competition reverts to a ten-team competition following Moana Pasifika’s exit at the end of the 2026 season.
2027 SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC FINALS SERIES
WEEK ONE – ELIMINATION FINALS
3 vs. 6
4 vs. 5
WEEK TWO – SEMI-FINALS
1 vs. lowest-seeded EF winner
2 vs. highest-seeded EF winner
WEEK THREE – GRAND FINAL
Highest-seeded SF winner vs. Lowest-seeded SF winner…PACNEWS
PAC – RUGBY: AAP PACNEWS SPORT: Thu 02 Jul 2026
‘New interest’: Aussie clubs back Super Rugby changes
SYDNEY, 02 JULY 2026 (AAP)—Australian clubs believe the Super Rugby Pacific’s revamp will strengthen the league’s appeal and boost the Wallabies’ chances of success.
The league will shrink to 10 teams next year after New Zealand Rugby rejected investor pitches to save Moana Pasifika.
This led to an overhaul of the regular-season structure, with the competition expanding from 15 to 17 weeks and teams to play 16 matches, giving each side an additional home-and-away clash.
ACT Brumbies general manager Gav Hunt says the extra fixtures can also help the Wallabies, who are hosting the World Cup next year.
“It’s really important for the pathway for our Wallabies players and those aspiring to be Wallabies players. The more often we can play the New Zealand teams, the better they can acquit themselves,” Hunt told AAP on Wednesday.
“It’s not quite a full home-and-away series, but you’re ending up playing all of your Australian opponents twice, and then you’ll play at least three of the New Zealand teams twice during the course of the year as well.
“From our perspective, the players want to be playing football, so adding a couple of games to the season is a really positive thing.”
The finals structure is also changing, with the top two teams earning a bye and advancing directly to the semi-finals. The third- and fourth-placed finishers will host the fifth- and sixth-placed sides respectively, for a place in the final four.
No Australian team has won the competition since the Waratahs in 2014, and Hunt says the changes will add more interest for the four Aussie sides.
He said this would help attract more eyes to the competition, which has struggled financially and has had difficulty attracting big crowds.
“It certainly amplifies the importance of finishing first and second on the ladder, doesn’t it?” Hunt said.
“The ability to play at home in a semi-final, which we all know is really critical to getting into a grand final (also helps).”
The first Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test will also take place next year, and teams for that game will be named following round nine.
“From my perspective, it (the Bledisloe Cup Test mid-season) creates more discussion, more media and more attention on rugby union and Super Rugby Pacific,” Queensland Reds chief executive David Hanham told AAP.
“People are going to be talking about who’s going to be earning those Test jerseys, so that’ll create another level of interest and more discussion.”
There will also be one bye instead of two, potentially creating a sticking point after clubs complained of the taxing impacts of the busy Test schedule and Super Rugby season last campaign, with only a small break between the pair.
But Hanham rubbished the idea that player loads will be further strained, saying there is an appropriate amount of rest and that clubs would work with the Wallabies to ensure players aren’t overstretched. …PACNEWS
UK – RUGBY: FIJI SUN PACNEWS SPORT: Thu 02 Jul 2026
Doge gets Flying Fijians recall for Wales clash
LONDON, 02 JULY 2206 (FIJI SUN)—Veteran Fijian Drua tighthead prop Mesake Doge is currently on his way to Cardiff, Wales, to join the Flying Fijians squad.
This was confirmed to SUNsports after France-based tighthead prop Luke Tagi withdrew from the squad.
Doge, who was one of the standout players for the Drua during the Super Rugby Pacific season was one of the surprise omissions from the 32-member Flying Fijians squad that was announced by interim head coach Senirusi Seruvakula.
He was earlier included in the 50-member squad.
Doge is the third player replacement. The first was Worcester prop Livai Natave replacing Atu Sokobale before Isikeli Rabitu stepped in for the injured Vinaya Habosi.
The other props in the Flying Fijians squad are Peni Ravai, Natave, Eroni Mawi and Tim Hoyt.
During training on Monday, the Flying Fijians had a session with former World Rugby 15s High Performance Match Official Allain Rolland on laws session- with players gaining a deeper understanding of the game’s laws and their current interpretations.
Meanwhile, Wales head coach Steve Tandy has opted to keep a low profile in their approach.
Under his guard the Welsh side has recorded their second successive win.
However, Tandy told BBC Sport that there is a lot of room for improvement.
“We’ve got to be better,” said Tandy.
“We’ve got to keep looking at ourselves because I still don’t think we’re ready yet to be focusing on the bigger outcome.
“We have to be more consistent right across the board, which this group are fighting tirelessly to do.”
Tandy outlined what success will look like in the upcoming Nations Championship tournament.
“We want to build and be more consistent,” said Tandy.
“If we are seeing more consistency in our performance, I’m going to be very happy, because that’ll be closer to winning games.”
Wales takes on the Flying Fijians at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday (Fiji time) at 1.05am followed by England at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool on July 11 and Scotland on July 18 in Edinburgh…..PACNEWS
PNG – RUGBY LEAGUE: NRL PACNEWS SPORT: Thu 02 Jul 2026
Chan for PNG Chiefs
PORT MORESBY, 02 JULY 2026 (NRL)—The arrival of the PNG Chiefs into Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL) competition is an opportunity of a lifetime, says New Ireland Governor Byron Chan.
Speaking at the Taurama Aquatic Centre in Port Moresby on Sunday, in the company of Prime Minister James Marape to see segments of the heat three quarter-finals of the Last Man Standing kickboxing series, Chan briefly discussed his views on the Chiefs project.
“Not only is it a milestone for the country, but a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that can transform the future of young Papua New Guineans and help address social challenges,” the New Ireland governor told The National.
“We are entering a competition in another country, and for that country to recognise us in their own sport, in their own national game, is very significant.”
Chan said many people underestimate the importance of Papua New Guinea being welcomed into one of Australia’s biggest sporting stages.
He believes the project would open doors for thousands of young Papua New Guineans and inspire future generations to chase professional careers in rugby league.
“People don’t realise that this is a national sport for Australia. To be there and to be highly considered is a privilege,” he said. “It gives our young people hope that one day they can become NRL stars.”
Drawing inspiration from the words of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare (deceased), Chan said the next generation of Papua New Guineans would continue to produce leaders and sporting heroes.
“Grand Chief Sir Michael once said: our mothers will give birth to the next doctors; the next pilots … well, they will also give birth to the next NRL stars.”
Chan pointed to the achievements of rugby league pioneers such as Marcus Bai and Justin Olam as proof that Papua New Guinea already has the talent to compete at the highest level.
“We’ve already done it. Marcus Bai and Justin Olam showed us what is possible, along with many others.
“What we needed was opportunity and now this government, the Australian Government and the NRL have helped create that opportunity.”
Chan believes the Chiefs project could also become a powerful tool for social change.
He said issues such as law and order can be addressed by creating stronger pathways for young people through sport.
“This can become one way out of those problems if we take it seriously, if we are guided, and if our people respect ourselves,” he added…PACNEWS
PNG – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS SPORT: Thu 02 Jul 2026
Hekari Women FC leave it late for comeback win
HONIARA, 02 JULY 2026 (OFC)—Hekari Women FC have scored three late goals to defeat 10-man Ba Women FC 3-1 in Group A at OFC Women’s Champions League 2026.
Narieta Leba gave the Fijian side the lead in the first half at the National Stadium in Honiara, but a red card in second half stoppage time opened the floodgates as Hekari Women flipped the contest to claim a crucial three points.
Hekari Women FC won 6-1 when the two sides met in the semi-finals of OFC Women’s Champions League 2025 last year in Tahiti, but were forced to work much harder for victory here. Ericsson Komeng made four changes, reintroducing four of his big guns to the Hekari starting line-up, including Ramona Padio and Nenny Elipas, and they started a lot quicker than they had in their opening Group A encounter three days earlier.
Ba Women goalkeeper Mereseini Waqali was forced into two fingertip stops in the space of 90 seconds, first denying Michaelyne Butubu, and then Adi Litia Bakaniceva. Padio also struck the crossbar with a header from the resulting corner.
Padio directed another free header wide soon after, whilst Nenny Elipas shanked an effort over the top after running in-behind, as Hekari continued to catch out their opponents with speed up front and in transition.
It was therefore against the run of play when Ba Women opened the scoring in the 33rd minute. They were lucky to still be level but had Narieta Leba to thank when she beat Anashtasia Gunemba to a searching pass in-behind, and powered home a shot that Betty Sam couldn’t keep out, for her second goal of the tournament.
Hekari Women had fashioned most of the chances, but Ba only needed one to hit the front and take the lead into half-time.
The three-time former runners-up continued to dictate possession and territory in the second half but struggled to create the same chances they had in the first against a more organised Ba defence. Scrambling for options, Komeng made the decision to take off two of his key players, Padio and captain Marie Kaipu, in favour of fresh legs.
It was one of those substitutes brought on that provided the equaliser for Hekari Women, albeit in scrappy circumstances. Ba Women goalkeeper Waqali failed to deal with a routine delivery into the box from Elipas, and Fijian international Maria Veronika was on hand to slot home from close range in the 71st minute.
A second yellow card for Sereana Naweni in the second minute of second half stoppage-time proved the key moment in the game though, reducing Ba Women to ten players from which they finally caved under the pressure.
Nenny Elipas scored the crucial go-ahead goal for Hekari in the 95th minute, pouncing on a rebounded shot from Calista Maneo, before Phylis Pala made sure of the three points with the third goal two minutes later.
Victory propels Hekari Women FC to the top of Group A with four points from their two matches, above Ba Women FC on three. Hekari face Henderson Eels FC in their last group game on Saturday, whilst Ba Women FC will take on Tafea FC, with semi-final places still up for grabs.
Hekari Women FC: 3 (Maria VERONIKA 71’, Nenny Elipas 90+5′, Phylis PALA 90+7′)
Ba Women FC: 1 (Narieta LEBA 33’)
HT: 0-1 …PACNEWS
PAC – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS SPORT: Thu 02 Jul 2026
Leimata Simon scores hat-trick in big win for Tafea FC
HONIARA, 02 JULY 2026 (OFC)—A hat-trick from captain Leimata Simon has propelled Tafea FC to a convincing 6-0 victory over Henderson Eels FC in Group A at OFC Women’s Champions League 2026.
Simon scored both first half goals, and then added another in the second, becoming the first player representing a Vanuatu club to score a hat-trick in the competition’s history, and helping Tafea to their biggest OFC Women’s Champions League win.
Semi-finalists in 2025, Henderson Eels were disappointing in a 0-6 defeat to Ba Women FC in their tournament opener and struggled again here against a Tafea side who had drawn 2-2 with three-time runners-up Hekari Women FC on the first matchday. The defeat means the tournament hosts have been eliminated from OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 with a match to spare.
Tafea dictated the contest from the off, controlling possession and keeping the hosts pinned inside their own half for long stages.
It took just eight minutes for the breakthrough, captain Leimata Simon heading the ball past goalkeeper Betty Sade after being played in-behind by a beautiful delivery over the top of the Eels defence from Jane Alatoa.
Using Madeline Arakau and captain Ileen Pegi, the Eels made more of an effort to push forward and keep possession after a difficult opening quarter. Still, they struggled to piece anything together in attack though and left themselves vulnerable in transition.
Leimata Simon scored her second goal just before half-time, doubling Tafea’s lead after latching onto another long ball in-behind the Eels defence.
Three goals inside the first 12 minutes of the second half then put the game to bed and wrapped up the three points for Tafea FC.
A poor error from the Eels whilst playing out from the back allowed Liyo Eramol to score the fourth goal in the 49th minute. And Leimata Simon completed her hat-trick five minutes later, latching onto another flighted ball over the top of the defence, and rolling it through the legs of the goalkeeper, for an historic hat-trick.
Simon then turned provider for the fifth goal in the 57th minute, perfectly finding the head of substitute Nettie Kalsau to score from a delivery off the right. It was another substitute, Pindy Erikan, who rounded out the scoring for Tafea, adding the sixth late in regular time.
Henderson Eels did have one chance to add a consolation of their own late in the piece, but captain Ileen Pegi was denied in a one-on-one situation as Amelia Reddy maintained a clean sheet between the Tafea sticks.
The win sees Tafea FC jump to the top of Group A on four points, but with a higher goal difference than Hekari Women FC. They will face Ba Women on Saturday, whilst already-eliminated Henderson Eels FC will attempt to rescue some pride from their campaign against Hekari.
Henderson Eels FC: 0
Tafea FC: 6 (Leimata SIMON 8′, 45+1′, 54′, Liyo ERAMOL 49′, Nettie KALSAU 57′, Pindy ERIKAN 86′)
HT: 0-2….PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY: NRL PACNEWS SPORT: Thu 02 Jul 2026
Bulldogs winger Marcelo Montoya to retire from NRL, Jahream Bula sign four-year extension with Tigers
SYDNEY, 02 JULY 2026 (NRL)— Bulldogs winger Marcelo Montoya has announced he will retire from the NRL at the end of the 2026 season.
Montoya made his first-grade debut in 2017 for the Bulldogs and has gone on to play 162 games, including 82 at the Warriors and 80 for Canterbury.
After four seasons at the Warriors (2021-24), Montoya returned to the Bulldogs and has proven a key member of Cameron Ciraldo’s squad, playing 26 games across the last two years.
“I started my career here so it feels right to also finish it as a Bulldog,” Montoya said.
“From the kid running around for the Bankstown Bulls to playing in NRL finals series’ and representing my culture on the biggest stages, I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunities rugby league have given myself and my family.”
The Tigers have offset the loss of Luai with Fijian international Jahream Bula signing a four-year extension.
The new deal keeps the fullback at Concord until the end of 2030 and comes on the back of the announcement that Terrell and Taylan May had also re-signed through to 2030.
Tongan international and former NSW Origin star Siosifa Talakai has joined Perth Bears on a three-year deal.
Talakai, who played two games for NSW in the 2022 State of Origin and represented Tonga at the World Cup that year, has played 133 NRL matches for the Sharks and Rabbitohs.
The signing of Talakai follows the recruitment of Panthers international Scott Sorensen ahead of the club’s entry into the NRL next year.
Sorensen, who played in all four of Penrith’s consecutive premiership wins, has signed a two-year deal with the Bears.
The Kiwis back-rower, whose wife Elle is from Perth, will be joined at the Bears by Panthers team-mate Liam Henry.
The 2026 season will be the last at the Warriors for representative prop Mitch Barnett after he was granted an early release from his contract for personal reasons. Barnett will join the Broncos in 2027.
Elsewhere, classy Tongan centre Tolutau Koula has signed a five-year contract extension that keeps at Manly until at least the end of 2031.
Koula is entering his fifth season with the Sea Eagles and is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he scored 17 tries in 22 appearance and was named the Roy Bull Player of the Year…..PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: AAP PACNEWS SPORT: Thu 02 Jul 2026
‘Impossible’: Inglis doubts Blues can win Origin series
SYDNEY, 02 JULY 2026 (AAP)—NSW-born Queensland State of Origin legend Greg Inglis has thrown a grenade into the NSW camp, claiming the Blues need divine intervention to win the series decider in Brisbane.
Suspecting the Blues may be mentally shot after their game-two capitulation in Melbourne, Inglis says he can’t see Laurie Daley’s battered outfit rebounding to snatch the shield at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday night.
Origin’s greatest try-scorer believes the task confronting NSW after blowing a halftime lead to surrender 44-24 at the MCG is now virtually an “impossible” one.
“All they can do is hope the Origin gods come on to them,” Inglis told AAP.
“It’s Origin footy, yeah, but it’s going to be a tough, tough task for NSW to get up there and get the win.”
Asked if the Blues’ assignment was “tough” or “mission impossible’, Inglis taunted NSW fans by saying “You could say both”.
“It’s a tough one to go up and win a decider in game three after what happened in the first two games,” he said.
The fact Inglis hails from Kempsey on the NSW mid north coast will only further rile supporters from south of the border.
But the 11-time Origin series winner is a little perplexed by some of Blues coach Laurie Daley’s selections, saying he was especially surprised by the axings of mainstay winger Brian To’o and Newcastle strike forward Dylan Lucas.
“I think he (To’o) still deserved his shot. He’s one of our best wingers in the game,” Inglis said at the launch of his 2026 Stick With It mental health campaign for the Goanna Academy.
“I don’t know, they obviously know what’s going on in their planning meetings and want to stick with the side that they see will fit.
“But it’s a different game now. It has to be a more of a mental game from NSW to winning a decider and overcoming what they’ve been through in the first two games.
“And then, if you really think about it, Dylan Lucas not actually being in the squad altogether, I found a bit bizarre.
“Look, I’m Queensland, so Queensland to win. I’m sticking with the Maroons.”
NSW have won only three series deciders in Brisbane – and only once since 2005.
If they lose, the Blues will also enter the history books as the first team to squander 1-0 series leads in successive years…..PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: AAP PACNEWS SPORT: Thu 02 Jul 2026
Why NRL’s toughest man will feel ‘hopeless’ in NSW camp
SYDNEY, 02 JULY 2026 (AAP)—Superstar prop Payne Haas admits it’s a “hopeless” feeling entering NSW State of Origin camp with Brisbane’s NRL premiership defence in freefall.
It comes as much-discussed Canterbury halfback Lachlan Galvin joins Blues camp as a training player ahead of the decider in Brisbane.
With Kotoni Staggs axed following the game-two thrashing, Haas is the only NSW player representing the 13th-placed Broncos at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday.
Reece Walsh and Pat Carrigan line up for Queensland, leaving Brisbane strapped for marquee talent as they fight to snap a seven-game losing streak that dates back to April.
If they fall to Cronulla on Saturday and Parramatta beat Manly the next day, the reigning premiers will finish the weekend 16th on the ladder.
It’s been quite the fall from grace for the Broncos, who risk becoming the first team since 2006 to miss the finals the year after winning the premiership.
So it was with mixed feelings that Brisbane’s best forward Haas entered Blues camp in the idyllic northern NSW town of Kingscliff on Tuesday.
“It’s pretty hard coming into camp knowing we’re in the kind of form we are,” Haas said.
“You obviously want to help the brothers there, because that’s who you bleed with since November (pre-season).
“To not be there, and just watch from the sidelines, you feel pretty hopeless. But I’ve got all the confidence in them to get the job done this week and keep our season alive.”
Lifting Haas’s spirits, brother Klese has been invited into Blues camp as a training player following a solid season with Gold Coast.
Galvin, the younger Haas, Sydney Roosters utility Hugo Savala, Melbourne’s Tyran Wishart and Titans rookie Zane Harrison will all join NSW at various points of their Kingscliff camp, but are unavailable to play the decider.
Savala and Galvin were greeted by a media scrum on arrival at Gold Coast Airport on Wednesday, with the latter a lightning rod for criticism since his highly publicised mid-season move to Canterbury last year.
But amid a stronger 2026 season, Galvin’s call-up as a training player is a vote of confidence in his future at representative level.
“He’s a great player,” Savala said of Galvin.
“I can’t wait to spend a few days with him and train the house down and help the boys out to win the decider.”
Brisbane will soon become enemy territory for Haas, who leaves next year to reunite with former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett at South Sydney.
The loss will rock the Queensland club, but Haas says the reception he will receive on return to Suncorp Stadium next year won’t compare to next Wednesday night.
“t’s not the same, to be honest, in an NRL game,” Haas said.
“It’s a different ball game when you’re in a Blues jersey against Suncorp with all the Maroons people yelling at you, giving it to you.
“It’s very hostile and it’s very different,” he said…PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: NRL PACNEWS SPORT: Thu 02 Jul 2026
Junior Tupou back at Tigers
SYDNEY, 02 JULY 2026 (NRL)—Wests Tigers have signed outside back Junior Tupou to a train-and-trial deal for the remainder of this season before joining their Top 30 squad for 2027.
The deal sees the 23-year-old return home to the Wests Tigers after playing 34 NRL games for the club from 2022-2024.
Tupou made his NRL debut for Wests Tigers against the North Queensland Cowboys in Round 10, 2022. He then spent time at the Dolphins in 2025 before going on to join the Sydney Roosters to begin the 2026 season.
Meanwhile, the Tigers have confirmed the immediate release of Luke Laulilii, allowing the outside back to take up an opportunity with the Warriors for the remainder of the season before joining Perth Bears.
Laulilii made 17 appearances for the Wests Tigers since his NRL debut against Canberra in Round 16, 2024.
A Liverpool Catholic Club Raiders junior, Laulilii captained the Western Suburbs Magpies Harold Matthews Cup team in 2023 before quickly progressing through the grades at Wests Tigers.
The 20-year-old had already confirmed his departure at the end of this season, having signed with the Perth Bears for 2027.
“Wests Tigers will always hold a special place in my heart, I’ve grown up in the area and have made friends here for life,’’ Laulilii said.
“To come through the grades at the Magpies, play with my brother and make it to the NRL to represent the Wests Tigers are lifelong memories that will always be special to me.
“I’m grateful to Benji and the coaches for their support this year and wish all the boys all the best for the rest of the season.”
Veteran centre Dane Gagai has joined the Broncos on a one-year for 2027, taking him back to the club where he began his illustrious NRL career 15 years ago.
Gagai debuted with the Broncos in 2011 before joining the Knights for six seasons and then heading to Souths for four seasons.
He headed back to the Knights in 2022 and has taken his career games tally to 328.
“The Broncos are very excited to see Dane making a return to Red Hill in 2027,” said General Manager of Recruitment and Pathways Simon Scanlan.
“His form this season has been outstanding and he has undoubtedly been one of the form centres this year.
“As we continue to develop our young outside backs, having experienced professionals around them is incredibly important. Dane’s leadership, professionalism and proven performance at the highest level make him a valuable addition to our club.”
“I’m so excited to pull the Catalan Dragons jersey on for the next two seasons. I’m grateful to the club for this opportunity and I hope I can do them and the fans proud,” Gamble said in a Catalans’ statement.
Cartwright said: “Tyson is another player I have worked with in the past. A super competitive player. Brings the same attitude to training. Brings experience good kicking game and is a strong defender. Will be a great addition to the squad.”
The Sea Eagles extended fullback Clayton Faulalo for a further two years through to the end of 2029.
Faulalo has been in career-best form this season whether playing fullback, centre or on the wing. In his past eight games he has scored six tries, added six try assists, and made seven line breaks.
The Cowboys have announced the re-signing of dummy-half Soni Luke for the 2027 NRL season.
Luke joined the Cowboys in January after securing a release from a pre-season deal with South Sydney.
The Tongan International came through the Penrith Panthers system and made his NRL debut in 2022.
Rising Roosters forward Siua Wong has signed a two-year extension that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2028 season.
The Tongan representative has emerged as one of the most improved back-rowers in the competition this year and is set to play a key role in the Rooster’s push for a premiership.
Having made his debut for the club in 2023, the 23-year-old is excited to extend his time with the tri-colours. ..PACNEWS
