The Dolphins have signed one of the best young talents in Queensland, while an England rugby union star is on the radar of several NRL clubs.
At least one rival club is preparing to have another crack at David Fifita following the Titans star’s latest contract saga.
Manly have backflipped on their stance after telling a player he was free to negotiate with rival clubs.
Read on for all the latest Transfer Whispers.
WAYNE SIGNS THURSTON’S COUSIN
The Dolphins have signed Jahrel Iselin-Jansen who is the cousin of future NRL Immortal Johnathan Thurston.
Iselin-Jansen is already drawing comparisons with his famous relation and he committed to Wayne Bennett on a one-year deal this week after knocking back interest and offers from Sydney NRL clubs.
The 17-year-old isn’t expected to enter the Dolphins top 30 until 2025 or 2026 and will spend next season playing in underage sides.
“This is a great opportunity for Jahrel,” Iselin-Jansen’s manager Paul Sutton told The Courier Mail.
“He is not dissimilar in build to ‘JT’ at the same age.
“He is tallish and a bit of a string bean, but he will develop the physical components over the next few years as he fills out.
“Jahrel is related to JT. When he went to play in Townsville for the Met North team, he stayed at JT’s house and JT came to the footy with them, so they are genuine family members.
“There was a bit of interest in him from Sydney clubs but it was better for him to stay home.
“He has been playing for the Dolphins in the Mal Meninga Cup, so it made sense for him to stay with the club and continue his progression.
“Jahrel has the right attributes to make the NRL.
“There are no guarantees at his age. With the Indigenous boys, they can be late developers physically, so we won’t see the best of Jahrel until he is 20 or 21.
“But he is a smart, clever halfback. Like JT, he is quick and has good vision, so he will only get better over the next few years.”
ENGLAND RUGBY STAR LINKED WITH NRL MOVE
Several NRL clubs are reportedly interested in signing England rugby union star Henry Arundell after his standout Rugby World Cup campaign.
Arundell, an outside back, is understood to be interested in a code switch as early as next year.
The 21-year-old who scored five tries in a Test against Chile at the World Cup has been contacted by several NRL clubs, according to News Corp.
Arundell is on one-year contract with Racing 92 in France and could join the NRL before the June 30 deadline next year.
THIRD TIME’S A CHARM FOR CANBERRA
The Raiders are set to have a third crack at luring David Fifita to the capital after yet another unique clause was revealed in the Titans superstar’s contract.
Fifita was first courted by Canberra coach Ricky Stuart ahead of the 2023 season, but the backrower re-signed with the Gold Coast.
But the 23-year-old hit the open market again when the Titans sacked coach Justin Holbrook which triggered a clause in Fifita’s contract that made him a free agent.
Fifita and captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui had the Holbrook clause but the club was saved a major embarrassment when the Maroons duo both re-signed.
But the deal contains player options fopr 2025 and 2026 meaning Halser is on the clock. According to NewsCorp, Fifta has until Round 10 to trigger the option for 2025 with this reportedly to allow the Titans star a chance to assess Hasler.
“I’m sure Ricky (Stuart) will ring his agent,” Raiders chief executive Don Furner told The Canberra Times.
“You’ve got to have a real go at quality players. If they stay at their own club, it’s not a loss, really.
“He’s got his best footy ahead of him, so we’ll definitely be keeping a close eye on that one.”
MANLY BACKFLIP ON HOOKER
The Sea Eagles have reportedly changed their mind on granting hooker Karl Lawton permission to join a rival club.
Lawton is contracted until the end of 2024 but was among a group of contracted players told they were free to explore their options and leave early.
Manly are heavily invested in the Trbojevic brothers, Josh Schuster, Daly Cherry-Evans and Haumole Olakau’atu.
Lawton’s salary is only a fraction of those big earners but the club are now reportedly keen to keep him for the 2024 season, according to Wide World of Sports.
The hooker, who can also play in the second-row, has endured an injury-plagued two seasons and shoulder surgery ended his 2023 campaign in Round 17.
Lawton played 10 games this year but he’s now battling Gordon Chan Kum Tong for a spot on the bench following the young gun’s breakout season.
ROOSTERS WANT WALLABIES WINGER
The Roosters have ramped up their bid for Wallabies and Waratahs winger Mark Nawaqanitawase as the next potential rugby union target for a code switch was revealed.
The Daily Telegraph reported Nawaqanitawase has met with Roosters powerbrokers as the NRL prepares to give the green light on salary cap relief for clubs chasing cross-code stars.
Nawaqanitawase met with head coach Trent Robinson and Roosters boss Nick Politis on Tuesday in Sydney as the club closes in on their Joseph Suaalii revenge mission.
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Rugby Australia poached Suaalii on a three-year deal worth $4.8 million from 2025 and he will depart the Roosters at the end of the 2024 season.
Nawaqanitawase is signed to rugby union in 2024, but would be a straight swap with Suaalii the following year and is expected to fill the wing spot left by Daniel Tupou’s expected retirement.
The 23-year-old Wallabies winger has scored 27 tries in 45 games for the Waratahs and five tries in 11 Tests for Australia since his debut season in 2020.
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Given he was one of the Wallabies’ best players over the last year including at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Nawaqanitawase’s defection could open the floodgates if clubs get salary cap exemptions to chase players from rival sports.
The Telegraph reported neither Rugby Australia or the Waratahs are currently in contract talks with Nawaqanitawase, despite RA CEO Phil Waugh declaring he was a key part of the code’s future.
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Losing a player of Nawaqanitawase’s ability would be a huge blow to the Wallabies ahead of the British and Irish Lions Tour in 2025 and home World Cup in 2027.
The Telegraph reported potential salary cap relief for NRL clubs could make Nawaqanitawase’s teammate Max Jorgensen the next rugby target for a code switch.
The son of former Roosters and Penrith winger Peter Jorgensen is a an exciting fullback, who can also play wing and was part of the Wallabies’ 2023 World Cup squad before injury cut short his campaign.
The 19-year-old was being chased by the Roosters and Bulldogs before he inked a two-year deal with the Waratahs and Rugby Australia, which expires in 2024.
Jorgensen is one the comeback trial from a fractured fibula, but could command as much as $1 million per season on his next deal from 2025.
Jorgensen has scored four tries in 11 games for the Waratahs in his rookie season in 2023, before injury cut short his campaign.
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BULLDOGS LEAD RACE FOR ROOSTERS ENFORCER AMID CIRALDO LINKS
The Bulldogs are reportedly leading the race to sign Roosters forward Terrell May, who is close to Cameron Ciraldo form his time at the Panthers.
WWOS reported the Roosters are in danger of losing May, with the Panthers junior in the sights of Ciraldo and the Bulldogs.
May was mentored by Ciraldo, who is a friend of the family early in his career before signing with the Roosters.
The 24-year-old prop has scored one try in 26 games for the Roosters since his debut in 2022, including 17 games last season.
May comes off-contract at the end of 2024, which means clubs have been free to negotiate with him for 2025 and beyond from November 1.
The Roosters are keen to keep May, but will struggled to match the money on offer from NRL rivals, after signing Panthers premiership winner Spencer Leniu on a big money deal.
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