NRL transfer news: Wests Tigers join race for Bulldogs star Luke Thompson, Corey Horsburgh re-signs with Raiders
Another Sydney club has joined the race for Bulldogs star Luke Thompson, while Raiders enforcer Corey Horsburgh is set to put pen to paper on a new deal. See the latest transfer news.
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The Wests Tigers are set to enter the race for Canterbury prop Luke Thompson as he prepares to play his first game of the season for the Bulldogs this weekend.
Thompson, who suffered a foot injury in the lead up to Canterbury’s season opener, has been named on the bench to make his return against Newcastle on Sunday.
The Tigers are in the midst of a recruitment drive in a bid to shore up their halves stocks for next year, and the club has now turned its attention to the engine room.
This masthead understands the Tigers are preparing to make a play for Thompson with the England international’s management to meet with the club later this week.
The Tigers have already secured rising NSW under-19s prop Samuela Fainu from Manly, along with his younger brother and five-eighth Latu, until the end of 2027.
Thompson is also on the radar of incoming St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan.
Thompson and Flanagan met last month to discuss a potential move to Wollongong.
The Dragons are in desperate need of middle forwards and Flanagan is of the view that Thompson would be a quality addition to the Red V pack.
Flanagan has since added South Sydney forward Hame Sele, who is a Dragons local junior, to his roster from next season until the end of 2026.
But Thompson could still be an option for Flanagan after the club granted Zane Musgrove and Jaiyden Hunt permission to negotiate with rivals outfits.
Thompson made his return to the paddock in a 32-minute stint through Canterbury’s NSW Cup side last weekend.
The 28-year-old had been sidelined since suffering a Lisfranc injury in a pre-season training mishap involving club legends Mark O’Meley and Willie Mason.
It’s understood Canterbury have shown interest in retaining Thompson, who is without a contract for 2024, but on a reduced deal compared to the $800,000 a season he is currently on at the club.
Thompson arrived from England in 2020 but a string of serious injuries has limited him to just 38 games since joining the club.
The Bulldogs are also poised to add two-time premiership winner Sio Siua Taukeiaho to their pack – on a two-year deal worth around $1 million – after Super League Club Catalans Dragons confirmed his release on Tuesday.
But like Thompson, Taukeiaho’s time with Catalans has been hampered by injury and the forward has only managed six games for the Dragons, who are leading the Super League.
“It’s been a disappointing season with the number of injuries I have had,” Taukeiaho said confirming his release.
”I love this place, I wish I could have stayed longer but I need to put my family first.
“I remain 100 per cent focused on my objectives with the club until the end of the season. I will do everything to get my body right to help the team to win the competition.
“I haven’t signed anywhere else. If that happens, both clubs will then negotiate.”
BIG RED SIGNS RICH NEW DEAL
—Peter Badel
Corey Horsburgh’s dream season has continued with the Queensland Origin rookie inking a mega $2.3 million upgrade with the Raiders.
This masthead can reveal Horsburgh has agreed terms on a four-year upgrade in a boost for the Green Machine ahead of Sunday’s clash against Melbourne at AAMI Park.
The 25-year-old was already contracted until the end of 2025, but Canberra powerbrokers were keen to tie up Horsburgh for a longer period in the wake of his outstanding 2023 campaign.
The Caboolture tackling machine has received a pay rise for the current two years of his contract and will shake hands on an additional two-year extension - keeping him in the nation’s capital until the end of 2027.
The multimillion-dollar deal is sweet reward for Horsburgh, who has fought back from a career-threatening foot injury to become a State of Origin star.
Named 19th man for Origin II this year, Horsburgh finally broke through to clinch his Maroons debut in Queensland’s 24-10 loss to NSW in the final game of the series at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
Queensland coach Billy Slater is a huge fan of Horsburgh’s “habits” and relentless work ethic and his no-frills attitude has been the cornerstone of Canberra’s charge into the top eight this season.
Horsburgh, who has played 79 NRL games, has the versatility to play in the middle or on an edge and his numbers for the Raiders this season have been exceptional.
The tireless No.13 is averaging 115 metres and 38 tackles this season and has racked up 50-plus tackles in a game on four occasions — headlined by 60 against the Warriors in round 21.
The Raiders had no interest in Horsburgh becoming a free agent, with his club coach Ricky Stuart lauding his application earlier this season.
“He has got an Origin mentality,” Stuart said.
“Corey is a tough kid and nothing fazes him when he is controlling his emotions. He gets baited all the time, but he is enjoying that now instead of reacting to it.
“He is an exceptional football player.
“We all know he is an emotional big bugger, and that’s why we love him.
“We love his emotion, but when he cools and calms, he is an even better player.”
Horsburgh said his stint in Camp Maroon this season has taken him to another level as a player.
“As a kid that was all I wanted to do, play for Queensland,” he said.
“I just took it all in and learned as much as I can from these great Queensland players.”
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