Manly young gun Caleb Navale looks set to miss the 2026 season after rupturing the ACL in his right knee at training.
While the club says he’s expected to miss “the majority” of the campaign it would be remarkable for the 22-year-old to return to NRL level this year.
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An impressive preseason had put Navale in line for a regular role in the Sea Eagles’ side.
“We’re all feeling for Caleb at the moment,” coach Anthony Seibold said.
“He’s had his best pre-season ever and was on track to be a regular in our match day lineup.
“I do know Caleb will throw everything he can into his rehab and the goal now is to get him back before the end of the season.”
He is replaced in this weekend’s trial squad by Tom Summer with Hugo Hart to start in the second row, as Corey Waddell shifts to lock.
TIGERS RE-SIGN UTILITY FORWARD
The Wests Tigers have confirmed the retention of utility forward Sione Fainu on a three-year contract extension until the end of the 2029 season.
The oldest of the three Fainu brothers at the club, Sione’s new deal is reportedly worth around $400,000 a season and it comes after he attracted interest from the Perth Bears who are in the midst of building the foundation roster for 2027.
“The Tigers gave me a chance to make my NRL debut and start my career, I’m grateful to Benji and everyone who has supported me,” Fainu said.
“I’ve learnt so much being part of this group and playing alongside some amazing players. We’re all growing and improving every day – it’s an exciting journey to be on.
“The chance to share this experience with my brothers is really special and I’m looking forward to this season.”
Arriving at the club in 2024 on a development contract, he has since progressed to the club’s Top 30 roster and has been one of their best performers in the forward pack.
“Really happy for Sione first and foremost, he’s worked extremely hard over the last few years,” Tigers coach Benji Marshall said.
“He’s a great person to have around the group and leads through his actions on and off the field, we’re all very happy he’ll be with us for the next three years.”
“Sione was fantastic for us last season and did a great job in his first full year of NRL, I’m looking forward to seeing him continue to grow throughout 2026.”
The Wests Tigers are now likely to shift all their attention to retaining superstar fullback Jahream Bula as he prepares to make a call on his long-term future sooner rather than later.
MOSES DEFENDS DECISION TO SIGN PEZET ON UNIQUE DEAL
Eels star Mitch Moses has defended the club’s decision to sign half Jonah Pezet to a one-year bridging deal before Pezet leaves to the Broncos in 2027.
Moses is confident the Eels are a better team with Pezet in the side and that it was a “no-brainer” to bring him on board, even though the new recruit’s unique situation hasn’t been immune to a few light jabs from teammates.
“Anytime you can add a quality player like Jonah to your squad, even if it’s for a year, you do it,” Moses told WWOS at the NRL media launch.
“We want to win now. We feel like we’ve got a pretty good squad at the moment, so, for us to be able to compete now.
“There have been a few cheeky stabs at him, but it’s all fun.”
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It’s an exciting time at Parramatta. After a slow start to the Jason Ryles era, the club finished 2025 with a flurry, collecting some big scalps late in the season.
With Pezet joining Moses, the pair instantly form one of the league’s best halves combinations.
However, there have been several critics of Parramatta’s decision to add Pezet for just one season and help in his development given the young half was always intending to join Brisbane in 2027 to replace Adam Reynolds.
“That’s the club’s decision that they’ve made,” Moses said.
“They’ve obviously got their ways in what and around it, and their opinions, but we’ve got some really good kids coming through at the moment who are young, and you don’t want to rush them in.
“They can learn under Jonah, and Jonah helps us win now.”
KNIGHTS EXTEND HARD-WORKING FORWARD
The Newcastle Knights have decided to extend hard-working forward Thomas Cant for another two years keeping him at the club until the end of the 2028 season.
Versatile in a number of different roles, the East Maitland Griffins junior has featured in 22 matches for the club over the past three season and will be looking to add to his game tally this season under new coach Justin Holbrook.
“We are really pleased Tom will remain a Knight, he loves representing this community, his family and this footy club,” Knights coach Justin Holbrook said in a statement.
“He epitomises effort and determination, giving everything he has every day and representing our Newcastle Knights club values with great pride.
“Tom has impressed all the coaching staff with his leg speed and football intuition during the off-season training, his upgraded 2026 contract and extension until 2028 is a reward for effort.”
A proud Novacastrian, Cant previously captained the side’s Under-21s Jersey Flegg Cup squad to the Grand Final in 2022.
RETURN UPDATE GIVEN ON DOGS YOUNG GUN
Canterbury Bulldogs GM of Football Phil Gould has provided an update on rookie halfback Mitchell Woods after he sustained a hamstring injury during pre-season training in the lead-up to the opening round of the 2026 season.
A two-time Under-19s NSW Blues representative, Woods was set to contend for a spot off the interchange bench for the club’s Round 1 match against the Dragons in Las Vegas.
However, fans won’t get to see him in action for up to another two months after scans provided an update on his hamstring diagnosis.
“Mitch Woods unfortunately will be (out) 6-8 weeks following diagnosis of his scans today,” Gould said on Tuesday evening on X.
“Not a major injury. But we will be conservative given his history.”
The Bulldogs will also be without former St George Illawarra Dragons lock Finau Latu for their opening match of the season. However, he will be available for selection for their next match against the Canberra Raiders which will take place in Round 3.
“Finau Latu will be available for Round 2 of the NRL season,” Gould added.
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