Queensland Premier Rugby transfer centre: 2025 player movements from every club

Queensland Premier Rugby’s 2025 gains and losses across all nine teams revealed here - including who landed a former Chiefs star and top recruits from across the ditch. FULL LIST

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips - see where he and other notable talents have landed in 2025.

In celebration of Saturday’s Australian Club Championship showdown between Brothers and Eastern Suburbs at Crosby Park, we feature the key gains and losses across all nine Premier rugby clubs.

The championship, played annually between the champion club teams from Queensland and New South Wales, will see the Brethren shooting for back-to-back titles.

TEEN THE BRONCOS WANTED BECOMES A RED

Before that clash, Queensland powerhouses Bond University will take on Jack Scott Cup winners Sydney University.

The Brethren are reigning Bernard Power Challenge Trophy holders following their dramatic 25-18 win over Randwick last year - courtesy of a Will Cartwright 71st minute try - while Bond Uni will look to defend their Sukkar Cup title.

The Queensland Premier Rugby Transfer Hub features the who’s who of gains and losses across all nine clubs. So who picked up the cream of the crop talents from abroad, who are the rookies to watch and how is your team shaping up in 2025?

The season is fast approaching and next-up youngsters, new recruits and club stalwarts are revving their engines ahead of the first round of battle on Saturday, March 29.

PLAYER MOVEMENTS

NORTHS EAGLES

Head coach: Dan Ritchie

Norths lock Oliver Milne will make his return from injury this season.

Ins: Moses Armstrong-Ravula (Manawatu New Zealand), Ryan Heaton (colts), Sam Dickie (colts), Callum Reidy (colts), Jack Small (returning after a year off), James Antonio (Wests), Shea Lalagevesi (Easts), Paddy Dallimore (Brothers), Louis de Villiers (Brothers), Alex Flanagan-Smith (retained), Oliver Milne (returning from injury), Josh Mongard (retained), Jack Peoples (retained).

Outs: Jordan Luke (medically retired, Colts 2 coach), Conor Chittenden (retired), Kieran Fitzgibbon (retired), Tevita Toloi (Maruwa Momotaros, Japan), Harry Goggin (Western Force).

Norths will miss the experienced Conor Chittenden. He is pictured here playing for Norths during the 2016 season. Picture: Peter Cronin

TRACK THE PROGRESS OF

Oliver Milne.

Norths top gun Oliver Milne missed the 2024 season through injury but he is back, eager to make a thud.

A born leader, Milne has the qualities of a club captain and will be well supported in the pack with forward leaders Josh Mongard and Alex Flanagan Smith.

AT SOME STAGE, LOOK OUT FOR

Patrick Dallimore and Louis de Villiers.

The young guns are back to their roots of the Norths club, their junior club, after playing colts at Brothers.

Dallimore, a pacy flanker, enhances the loose forward stocks at the Eagles nest while de Villiers is a fine utility back who, like Dallimore, was schooled at Nudgee College.

Nudgee College old boy Patrick Dallimore during the 2022 GPS first XV season. Picture, John Gass

EASTS TIGERS

Head coach: Simon Craig

Eli Pilz. Easts v GPS in StoreLocal Hospital Cup round one action. Saturday April 6, 2024.

Ins: BJ Oates (UQ), Angus Wagner (Force/UQ), Sione Teaupa (Tonga), Jethro Felemi (UQ), Nuku Swerling (Bond), Setefano Funaki (UQ), Alex Smit and Will Sankey (Brumbies Runners), Angus Wagner (UQ/ Western Force), JP Tominiko (Sunnybank/Hong Kong), Archie Wilson (colts), Joe Liddy (colts), Nick Bloomfield (colts), Frankie Goldsbrough (colts), Jake Pappin (Tokyo Gas), Andrew Ready (Force), Max Craig (returning from injury), Jarrod Homan (returning from injury), Blake Davis (returning from injury), Lachlan Tokome (returning from injury), Saxon Warwick (Souths), Jason Theron (Souths), Cooper Hoare (Souths), Josh Coward (Sunnybank), Helaman Swirling (Bond), Lusikava Moala (Tonga).

East player Blake Davis will make his return after an ACL injury prevented him from playing last season.

Outs: Massimo de Lutiis (Wests), Pio Nakubuwa (rugby league).

Pio Nakubuwai. Easts v GPS in StoreLocal Hospital Cup round one action. Saturday April 6, 2024.

WHICH TIGER IS SET TO ROAR?

Nick Bloomfield.

Three years of colts rugby has served 20-year-old prop Nick Bloomfield well and at some stage this season he will show his wares.

An Australian Under-20s selection, Bloomfield brings his Reds academy learnings to the table as well as sheer toughness and power.

Nick Bloomfield of Australia in action during The Rugby Championship U20 Round 3 match between Australia and New Zealand last year.

HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE FOR

Jarrod Homan.

The 21-year-old outside back will make his long awaited return to rugby this season after a freak ankle injury ruined his 2024 campaign.

Homan, still a player of considerable potential, made waves in his first colts season in 2022 for Easts.

However, he then has missed the better part of two seasons through injury.

He is fully fit and firing. Watch for him to be used at outside centre or on the wing when the time is right.

East player Jarrod Homan scores in the 2023 Colts 1 season.

FROM THE NEST TO TIGERLAND

New faces Saxon Warwick, Jason Theron and Cooper Hoare have made the switch from Souths to Easts this year and it bolsters an already formidable pack.

Warwick has been a high achieving front rower for some time. Back in 2021 he was a force to be reckoned with in AIC First XV rugby for Iona College.

Mountainous lock Jason Theron, a Riverside junior, will also make the transition out of colts from Souths alongside hooker Hoare, a Brisbane Boys’ College product who just gets rugby.

He is a natural.

Former Souths forward Saxon Warwick runs out for the Magpies.

GPS GALLOPERS

Head Coach: Sio Kite

Ins: Bob Martin (Otago, NPC), Jayden Kemp (Northland NPC), James Martens (Wests), Te Ohorei Totorewa (Souths), Ryley Bierton (Souths).

Shaun Anderson has pounced on an opportunity with Shute Shield club Sydney University.

Outs: Shaun Anderson (Sydney University, Shute Shield), Tevita Kaitu’u (Hunter Wildfire, Shute Shield), John Downes (Hunter Wildfire, Shute Shield), Pat Nicholson (retired), Jake Simeon (retired), Mitch Treleaven (retired).

HUGE HALFBACK COUP

James Martens. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and the Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

The Gallopers have welcomed teen No.9 James Martens to Yoku road this season after the Queensland Reds Under-19s livewire made the decision to leave the Kennel.

Martens was elite in Colts 1 rugby for Wests last season and often featured in Elwee Prinsloo’s first grade side.

There will still be a logjam in the halfback department at Wests again with Moses Sorovi, Louis Werchon and Jamie Alexander first grade material, but Martens has clean air now to strut his stuff at Jeeps.

Martens means business in Ashgrove.

GPS WILL SORELY MISS

John Downes, Tevita Kaituu, Shaun Anderson and Floyd Aubrey.

Floyd Aubrey will feature in Karmichael Hunt’s Souths Logan outfit in the Hostplus Cup.

GPS will be without two key front rowers in Downes and Kaituu (both playing for Hunter Wildfires).

They are tasked with having to replenish the backline fire power lost in outside centre Shaun Anderson (Sydney University, Shute Shield) and Floyd Aubrey (Souths Logan Magpies, Hostplus Cup).

This awesome foursome was key in GPS’ pursuit of a top four finish last season, but their departure leaves the door ajar for Souths duo Te Ohorei Totorewa and Ryley Bierton, as well as Joe Doljanin, to make an impression.

Doljanin, the 2021 school vice-captain of Johnathan Thurston’s old school of St Mary’s College in Toowoomba, separated himself from other centres in Colts 1 last season and was better than reliable in first grade.

The No.13 jersey, left by Anderson, is his to lose.

Joe Doljanin was impressive when playing in first grade last season for GPS.

BOND UNIVERSITY BULLSHARKS

Head coach: Mick Heenan

Ins: Dane Mason (Helensvale) Taniora Raniera (Nerang Bulls) Deon Evans-Aofi (Hunter Wildfires, Shute Shield) Dan Boardman (returning) Marlon Jones (returning) Liam Daniela (Counties-Manukau) Aiden Ross (Reds) Kobe Walters (New Zealand) Patrick Barlow (Surfers) Luke Depiazzi (Canberra) Heremaia Murray (Reds) Kaleb Ngamanu (rugby league) Makrau Fonumanu (rugby league) Matt Engelbrecht (UQ).

Bond University will be without their beloved fullback Rhian Stowers. Picture: Stephen Tremain.

Outs: Rhian Stowers (MLR), Jack Winchester (Perth), Fred Dorrough (Retired), Nathan Beil (Canberra), Lukas Ripley (Waratahs), Matt Gibbon (UQ).

A DOSE OF KALEB IN THE CANAL

Bond will benefit from the services of former Tweed Seagulls rugby league Queensland Cup youngster Kaleb Ngamanu.

Ngamanu was schooled at The Southport School and was a staple for Tweed over the past two seasons where he put himself in contract conversations with NRL feeder club the Titans.

Last year he scored 10 tries in 18 games at centre and he is sure to enhance the Bond backline.

Kaleb Ngamanu was a TSS schoolboy weapon. Pic Mike Batterham

BROTHERS

Head coach: Ben McCormack

Ins: Jude Gibbs (Northern Suburbs, Shute Shield), Henry Smith (Japan), David Fusitu’a (rugby league), Theo Fourie (Waratahs)

Outs: Patrick James (retired), Lawson Creighton (Waratahs), Brad Kapa (retired), Oahu Davey-Phillips (Norths), Harry Lloyd (retired), Jayden Christian (Warringah Rats,Shute Shield), Mosiah Christian (rugby league).

TIME FOR A WELL EARNED REST

Brothers veteran Patrick James in last year’s grand final at Ballymore. Picture credit: QRU Media/ Erick Lucero.

Club stalwart Patrick James has, perhaps for the last time, hung up the boots and called stumps on a fine career.

The trusted backline utility, who was key in the club’s back-to-back premierships, was a leader, communicator and all-round good bloke for Brothers’ first grade.

Coach Ben McCormack hopes he will get cold feet and return to Crosby but if not, Brothers will have big shoes to fill.

Patrick James is tackled during Brothers’ 31-26 grand final loss against University in 2019. He got his premiership in 2023 and then again in 2024.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE NAME

Henry Smith?

Smith, a towering midfielder, was a revered Nudgee College back in the 2018 GPS First XV rugby season.

He was a man among boys at inside centre and his brother Hugo (halfback) was a scrum-base terror as well.

Henry, who played at Souths after school, is back from his rugby endeavours in Japan and ready to send a tremor across opposition midfield defences.

Nudgee college 2018 old boys and twin brothers Hugo and Henry Smith.

WESTS BULLDOGS

Head coach: Elwee Prinsloo

Former Souths flyhalf Will Nason has moved to Wests. Picture: Lachie Millard

Ins: Henry Speight (retained), Moses Sorovi (retained) Keynan Tauakipulu (Canberra), Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (Souths, Reds), Will Nason (Souths), James Tofa (New Zealand, Manawatu) Matthias Douglas (Italy), James Tofa (New Zealand, Manawatu), Luke Masirewa (Rugby 7s in New Zealand), Byron Smith (Auckland Blues Academy, Southland Stags), Denzel Samoa (Souths Logan Hostplus Cup), Massiomo De Lutiis (Reds, Easts).

Wests are gunning for a third consecutive grand final appearance in 2025. Picture: Lachie Millard

Outs: Charlie Wiggin (UQ), Ethan Dobbins (Waratahs), Connor Anderson (Japan), James Martens (GPS), Timma Faingaanuku (Brumbies), Angelo Smith (Waratahs), Bradley Kelegai (retired), Mosese Dawai (France Top 14), Dave Vaihu (Eastern Suburbs, Shute Shield), Lebron Paramore-Naea (Warringah Rats, Shute Shield), Glen Vaihu (Souths Logan Hostplus Cup, Broncos), Fletcher Spicer (Sunshine Coast Falcons Hostplus Cup), Daniel Maeava (Hunter Wildfires, Shute Sheild).

BYRON’S BACK FROM ACROSS THE TASMAN

Wests will be well off for depth in the flyhalf position.

They have Louis Werchon, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Will Nason and Byron Smith, a 21-year-old who is coming home after spending time in the Blues system.

Smith was somewhat of a schoolboy sensation at Nudgee College in 2020 and 2021 before moving abroad to broaden his opportunities.

He had progressed through the Queensland under-16 and under-18 rugby ranks before a call came from Auckland, New Zealand.

There was a spot for Smith in the Blues’ provincial academy.

He went on to play for the New Zealand Under-19s in 2022, helped the Blues win the Under-20 Super Rugby competition in 2023, and was also named the Blues development player of the year.

There was a slight problem for Smith though - he had the likes of Harry Plummer and Zarn Sullivan ahead of him in the pecking order in Auckland.

Watch for the crafty flyhalf.

Nudgee College’s Byron Smith attacks in the 2021 GPS rugby season.

BLINK AND YOU MIGHT MISS

Matthias Douglas.

There has been plenty of excitement building around Wests newcomer Douglas, a 21-year-old excitement machine from Italy.

Douglas is a bobby dazzler from Benetton Treviso, a team which competes in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

He is a nimble winger and will be one of the first names opposition coaches circle on their scouting report.

SOUTHS MAGPIES

Head coach: Garrick Morgan

Ins: Tye James (England, Richmond), Callum Lauder (Hong Kong), Phransis Sula-Siaosi (Hong Kong), Peter Halapio (GPS), Poasa Niumataiwalu (GPS), Kitione Taliga (Sunnybank), Mikey Siaki (Souths), Vilikesa Raboiluku (Retained), Gideon Lasaqa (NZ), Keenan Timu (Biarritz, France/ brother of Caleb who played for the Reds), Connor Mccreedy (Bond University), Conrad Tua (New Zealand rugby, injury return), John Bryant (retained, Reds), Trevor King (retained, Reds), Connor Vest (retained, Reds), Maddox McLean (colts), Darcy Rowan (colts), Monty Dory (new addition backrower), Finn Hearne (retained), Rourke Symons (colts), Tom Parker Ryan (retained), Jake Kurbatoff (retained), Kohan Herbert (retained), Sean Farrell (retained), Willem Pinnar (returning), Xavier Rubens (retained).

Xavier Rubens (No.13) takes a tumble in last year’s Colts 1 grand final. Picture: Lachie Millard

Outs: Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (Wests), Reece Mies (Wests), Will Nason (Wests), Dom Thygesen (Wests), Kaleb Akaroa (Force), Slater Galloway (UQ), Cooper Hoare (Easts), Sam Von Blanckensee (retired), Ryley Bierton and Te Ohorei Totorewa (GPS).

DYNAMIC DUO

Maddox Maclean and Darcy Rowan were key figures in Queensland’s under-19s side that finished runners up in the 2024 Super Rugby competition.

They have remained loyal to Souths and are sure to, at some point, feature in first grade.

Both capable flyhalves or centres, Maclean and Rowan were influential in the club’s Colts 1 premiership last season and hit the ground running in pre-season.

They are completely different players but together they can strengthen both the club’s Colts 1 and grade programs.

Maddox Maclean. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the Reds and Waratahs. Picture courtesy of James Auclair.

WHAT WILL 2025 BRING FOR

Xavier Rubens?

He is one of the best centres in his age group (under-20s), so good that he is a lock for Garrick Morgan’s Hospital Cup side.

The Brisbane Boys’ College sporting all-rounder can make things happen which others dream of doing. An all-rounder because he was an accomplished rower, Rubens has speed, instincts, toughness and finesse.

An Australian Under-20s call up will be on the cards if he remains healthy.

NIPPY SCRUM-FEEDERS

Souths coach Garrick Morgan will have no shortage of headaches in 2025 because he has multiple first-grade calibre halfbacks at his disposal.

Only two can be selected.

The alert Finn Hearne is a front runner for the No.9 jersey because he played well in last year’s competition, but he has a few eager scrumhalves hot on his heels.

Souths have St Laurence’s College product Tom Parker Ryan, whose service is to die for. Coach Morgan also likes the look of young gun Rourke Symons, who has progressed from the premiership-winning colts side.

Souths scrumhalf Tom Parker Ryan.

SUNNYBANK DRAGONS

Head coach: Rob Roiri

Ins: Netani Lesimaikimatuku (colts), Dre-dyn Laban (Souths), Daniel Malum (colts), Mattias Agent (colts), Paea ‘Otu’ Talakai (Wynnum rugby league), Eli Tuli (Penrith rugby league, former Warriors Jersey Flegg and Keebra Park prop), Kole Harmer (Christchurch, Canterbury), Joe Faulalo (retained), Saipele Tamilo (Souths), Prynce Romeotaugaele (former BBC schoolboy phenom), Tumeli Naco (Fiji), Hemi Hokianga (NPC, New Zealand), Jodeci Letalu (Easts) Jake Strachan (pending commitments in France), Eli Tuli (Warriors Jersey Flegg, rugby league), Connor Mcgeough (Melbourne), Cody Mitchell (Norths), Sam Orman (Norths), Hemi Hokianga (New Zealand), Xavier McEldowney (Ireland).

Brisbane State High former student Netani Lesimaikimatuku (white headgear) is knocking on the door for a first grade call up this season.

Outs: Phransis Ponona (year off), JD Tominiko (Easts), captain Zac Sheppard (retired), Ravuama Vuetanavanua (injured), Dylan Rowe (Bond), Brody McLaren (Manly rugby).

YOUNG BRIGADE SET TO SPEARHEAD SUNNYBANK

Souths utility back Dre-dyn Laban has switched clubs to Sunnybank. Picture: Lachie Millard

Sunnybank head coach Rob Roiri will be one happy man knowing he has a mix of experience and youth in his ranks.

The young players are especially exciting, with 2024 colts top guns Netani Lesimaikimatuku, Dre-dyn Laban (Souths), Daniel Malum and Mattias Agent, a player of tremendous character, putting their names in the right conversations.

Each player brings something different to the Dragons, a club keen to turn progress into wins and make a finals push.

Lesimaikimatuku was a goal-kicking sniper with an effective running game, while Laban and Malum were awfully exciting outside backs.

Laban has been lighting it up in pre-season while Malum lit up the under-19s Super Rugby last year on his way to being arguably the competition’s best winger.

Sunnybank have a fine utility forward prospect in Agent, a criminally underrated Brisbane State High old boy.

LEAGUE CONVERT BOLSTERS ‘BANK ENGINE ROOM

He won’t be hard to miss. Just look for a big, mountain man forward and there’s a good chance you’ve landed on Paea ‘Otu’ Talakai.

The rugby league convert from Wynnum Manly is a big addition to Sunnybank’s pack and he will love nothing more than taking it to opposition packs.

When Sunnybank need a big carry, Talakai will be one of their first port of calls. He is a massive human with the strength of an ox.

It may take a while for him to find his feet in the 15-a-side code but when he does, it will be scary hours for whoever finds themselves in the firing line on a brisk winters day.

UNIVERSITY RED HEAVIES

Head coach: Elton Berrange

Charlie Wigan (pictured) will return to the Red Heavies after a stint in 2024 with Wests. Picture, John Gass

Ins: Lachlan Connors (returning from injury), Charlie Wigan (Wests), Slater Galloway (Souths), Morgan Rees (Wales), Dougal Perrers (Wellington), Kody Edwards (Spain), Pama Fou (Italy), Tim Nanai-Williams (Toulouse, Top 14), Reece Tapine (Japan), Gideon Kautai (Noosa Dolphins), Tasei Haguchi (Japan).

Souths Colts 1 premiership winning prop Slater Galloway has found a new home at University after seeking out a good fit in the off-season.

Outs: Chace Oates (Brumbies), Kye Oates (Brumbies), Jake Tierney (Shute Shield, Gordon), Jackson Clarke (Shute Shield, Eastwood), Brad Twidale (retired), Tom Molloy (Study opportunity at Oxford), Alex Davies (entrepreneur), Jethro Felemi (Easts).

CONNORS READY FOR ROUND 2

Lachlan Connors dominated the AIC First XV rugby competition in 2017.

Brilliant backrower Lachlan Connors is ready for a fresh start with the Red Heavies in 2025 after an injury prevented him from representing his new club, UQ, in 2024.

Connors had made the move from Bond University, where he starred in a highly successful 2023 campaign. A former St Patrick’s College top gun from Shorncliffe, Connors led the side to a minor premiership before watching from the sidelines in his new colours last year.

That did not stop him from making an immediate impression at the club.

The mobile No. 8 and Hospital Cup captain won the club service award for his incredible off field contributions, despite being injured the whole season. He is back in business.

BRUMBIES KEEN ON TOOWOOMBA BROTHERS

Chace Oates (pictured) and his older brother Kye have taken up opportunities at the Brumbies.

University won’t have Toowoomba talents Kye and Chace Oates this season after the highly-skilled brothers were scooped up by the Brumbies.

Playmaker Chace was a class act in Colts 1 last season playing under coach Josh Bray and in first grade, outside back Kye was cooking with gas yet again.

It led to the Oates brothers being recruited to the nation’s capital where they are working towards a Super Rugby debut.