The PNG Chiefs have rubbished a report that has linked the NRL’s 19th franchise to Joseph Suaalii.
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The news.com.au report suggests the Chiefs are in talks with Suaalii, the former Roosters centre who switched to rugby union.
However, SMH journalist Danny Weidler – a former colleague of Chiefs GM Michael Chammas – put those rumours to bed on social media site X.
”Report that Joseph Suaalii is in talks with PNG Chiefs is false. Have talked to Chiefs and management of Suaalii and they both said it’s complete rubbish,” Weidler’s post read.
Suaalii is under contract with the NSW Waratahs and Rugby Australia until the end of 2027 but does have a two-year player option for the following two seasons.
The Chiefs will enter the NRL in 2028.
DRAGONS SET FOR BIDDING WAR FOR ORIGIN STAR
Less than a week after veteran hooker Damien Cook was forced out of the club, the St George Illawarra Dragons have identified a possible replacement.
Looking to boost their side for next season, The Sydney Morning Herald reports that NSW Blues representative Connor Watson has found himself linked to the Dragons.
This comes as Watson has also been linked to the Perth Bears and PNG Chiefs as he looks to land a new contract to cement his future.
It is understood that the 29-year-old is an option for the Dragons in either a short-term capacity for just the 2027 season or also for multiple years.
Although he is contracted at the Sydney Roosters, the Bondi-based side has indicated in the past to him that they will happily hand him an early release if he can secure a long-term deal elsewhere.
As Watson contemplates his future, the exodus at the Dragons has continued with Mathew Feagai becoming the latest player that will depart the club at season’s end.
As reported by Love Rugby League, Feagai is set to sign a contract with the Castleford Tigers in the Super League, which will see him play alongside Damien Cook and reunite with coach Ryan Carr.
Spending his entire NRL career at the Red V, the former Under-18s NSW and Australian Schoolboy representative has played 74 first-grade matches with six of those coming in 2026.
Still only 25 years of age, he was previously named in Samoa’s squad for the most recent Rugby League World Cup that took place in 2022.
WARRIORS STAR REJECTS INTEREST FROM RIVAL CLUB
New Zealand Warriors halfback Tanah Boyd is said to have rejected advances from a rival club as he nears confirming his immediate future.
According to Code Sports, Boyd had attracted interest from the South Sydney Rabbitohs but decided against joining them as he prepares to put the “final touches” on a contract extension with the Warriors.
It is understood that the Rabbitohs were keen to lure him to the side to play alongside former Keebra Park teammates David Fifita and Payne Haas who will make the move to the club from the Broncos in 2027.
With Jamie Humphreys set to depart for the Perth Bears and Ashton Ward still developing, Boyd would have easily slotted into the No.7 jersey.
Instead, he will remain at the Warriors bar an 11th-hour hitch, having been involved in extension talks with them for well over a month.
The new deal is set to run across multiple years after he has taken his game to new heights this season and has even emerged as a potential Origin bolter for the Queensland Maroons.
PERTH EYE ENGLISH INTERNATIONAL
Continuing to build their inaugural roster for when they enter the NRL competition in 2027, the Perth Bears are eyeing the services of an international forward.
Representing England on 12 different occassions since 2022, Code Sports reports that front-rower Matty Lees has found himself on the radar of the Bears and could be the latest Super League player to join the franchise.
However, it has been revealed that the Bears may have to wait an extra 12 months to secure his talents due to him being contracted at St Helens until at least the conclusion of the 2027 season.
One of the best forwards in the overseas competition, he played in all three matches against Australia during the 2025 Ashes Series and showed that he could easily go up against NRL players on a regular basis.
Aged 28, Lees is still in the prime of his career and has been a main piece behind the Saints’ success, which has seen them win multiple premierships over the past few years.
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