Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League (NRRRL): Signings tracker for the 2025 season

Cudgen has picked up some new recruits and seen the return of a familiar face as it adds plenty of firepower to its squad for 2025. NRRRL signings tracker.

Cudgen has bolstered its attacking firepower in 2025. Picture: DC Sports Photography

With the pre-season well underway, the countdown towards this year’s NRRRL competition has begun.

As clubs prepare for the season, we’ll cast our eye over the major signings and departures for the 2025 men’s campaign, kicking off with heavyweights Cudgen.

CUDGEN HORNETS

Jordan Kempnich will return to Cudgen after a season in France. Photo: Elise Derwin

Major gains: Malachai Dumas (Tweed Heads Seagulls), Jordan Kempnich (Villefranche XIII Aveyron, France), Jaxson Longa (Old Bar), Elliott Speed (Currumbin Eagles)

It has been an impressive off-season for the Hornets, who on top keeping the bulk of its already strong squad have bolstered it with plenty of attacking firepower ahead of the 2025 season.

“We’ve got a few pretty significant signings in our backline and outside backs in particular,” said coach Wayne Forbes.

They are headlined by that of halfback Elliott Speed, who joins the club after a successful season for the Currumbin Eagles in the Gold Coast A-grade competition.

A quality footballer in his own right who has spent some time with the Tweed Seagulls in the Q Cup, Speed’s acquisition also allows star man Caleb Ziebell to shift back into the middle after filling in at five-eighth last season.

“One of the main reasons we chased a halfback was to get ‘Buddha’ back into the forwards,” said Forbes. “Last year he was the biggest five-eighth ever. We’ll be able to push him back into his preferred position of 13, which will be able to plug even more holes and strengthen our forwards.”

Malachi Dumas was one of the Tweed Seagulls’ best in last year’s reserve grade competition. Picture: DC Sports Photography

Elsewhere, the club has exciting outside backs Jaxson Longa from the Old Bar Beach Pirates in Group 3 and Malachi Dumas from last year’s Tweed Seagulls reserve grade-winning side.

In addition, the Hornets will also benefit from their extensive production line, with Cudgen’s 2023 premiership-winning fullback Jordan Kempnich set to return shortly from his spell with Villefranche XIII Aveyron in the French top-tier Super XIII competition, and young utility Callum Prichard making the step up from under-18s into the first grade squad.

“He’s a pretty handy footballer so it’s a case of ‘watch this space’ with Cal,” said Forbes. “He’s just a tough, young, no-nonsense footy player.”