NRL Market Watch: Bulldogs interested in signing Siosiua Taukeiaho, Daniel Saifiti to join Dolphins

Former Roosters prop Siosiua Taukeiaho’s proposed NRL return is back on, with the coach of a Sydney team expressing their interest bringing the 33-year-old to the club. MARKET WATCH.

Siosiua Taukeiaho’s proposed NRL return with Canterbury is back on, with the Bulldogs considering a fresh lifeline for the premiership-winning prop.

This masthead can reveal Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo is interested in signing Taukeiaho and will monitor the 32-year-old’s rehabilitation in the coming weeks ahead of the 2025 pre-season.

As first revealed by this masthead, Taukeiaho initially agreed terms on a two-year deal with the Bulldogs in 2023, midway through his stint with French Super League club Catalans Dragons.

But Taukeiaho’s planned transfer to the Bulldogs ultimately collapsed at the eleventh hour after the former Roosters enforcer failed medical tests on a foot injury he sustained in Super League.

Now Taukeiaho is back on the Bulldogs’ radar.

Ciraldo has added Tom Amone (Leigh) and Roosters back-rower Sitili Tupouniua to his squad for next season and is keen to bolster his front-row stocks with the acquisition of Taukeiaho.

Siosiua Taukeiaho could be set for an NRL return at Canterbury. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images

The former Roosters prop has been spotted at Belmore in recent weeks. At this stage, he has not formally signed, but if his rehab and training continues as planned, Taukeiaho will be offered a Bulldogs deal for 2025.

Taukeiaho turns 33 in January and believes he can play at least another two seasons in the NRL, despite an injury and drama-charged stint at Catalans.

Aside from his injury struggles, the former Tongan Test star was sacked by the French club in July for disciplinary reasons after attending a concert in England with two Dragons teammates.

In his prime, Taukeiaho was one of the best props in the NRL, playing 168 games for the Roosters and winning back-to-back premierships at Bondi in 2018-19.

Siosiua Taukeiaho made 167 appearances for the Roosters. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The goalkicking bookend has also been linked with Manly, but it’s understood Belmore is his preferred destination if Bulldogs coach Ciraldo is satisfied with his progress over the next few months.

The Bulldogs qualified for their first finals campaign in eight years this season and Taukeiaho’s experience would be an asset for Canterbury’s rising young forwards.

Former Storm forward Max King, 27, and 23-year-old Sam Hughes were Canterbury’s starting props in Sunday’s elimination final against Manly, but the Bulldogs could benefit from Taukeiaho’s premiership presence.

In his only interview on his Bulldogs move last year, Taukeiaho told this masthead he would not be a risky signing if given a chance by Ciraldo.

“Wherever I end up, I believe I have a good two or three years left in me,” he said in July 2023.

“I’ve won premierships at the Roosters and I think my experience can be helpful.

“I believe I’ve got more to offer in the NRL.”

Siosiua Taukeiaho. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Taukeiaho has a two-pronged career plan in Australia.

Aside from an intended swansong at Belmore, Taukeiaho wants to emulate Sharks legend Paul Gallen’s sporting transition by moving from rugby league to boxing once he retires from the NRL.

The 101kg enforcer beat Jaiman Lowe in his boxing debut two years ago. A number of NRL heavyweight blockbuster bouts are a possibility for Taukeiaho, including fights against Junior Paulo, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Curtis Scott, who beat AFL legend Barry Hall in July.

“I would love to take that mantle as the next Paul Gallen in the ring,” he said.

“I’m really passionate about boxing.

“Rugby league is my focus at the moment, but down the track I’d love to take boxing seriously after I retire from football.”

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS ROSTER SHAKE-UP

-Michael Carayannis, Brent Read

Former NSW prop Daniel Saifiti’s move to the Dolphins is on the verge of being confirmed after a breakthrough in negotiations with Newcastle.

It is understood that after weeks of protracted talks between the Knights and the Dolphins, a deal is close to being struck.

Saifiti is expected to have played his last game for the Knights after their 28-16 loss to North Queensland.

Saifiti’s impending exit comes as young back Tom Jenkins is granted a release and winger Enari Tuala edges towards a move to the Bulldogs.

The Eels are also expected to make inquiries around Newcastle hooker Jayden Brailey after Parramatta created salary cap space following the departure of prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard.

The NRL had to approve the reworked contract which will see Saifiti link up with the Dolphins until at least the end of 2027.

The final stumbling block was for the two clubs to agree on a financial commitment from the Knights, given Saifiti still had two years left on his rich deal worth about $850,000 a season.

Newcastle are expected to tip in about $200,000 for the next two seasons for Saifiti to play elsewhere.

Knights prop Daniel Saifiti is inching closer to linking up with the Dolphins. Credit: NRL Images.

He had discussions with the Dragons but those talks never eventuated with St George Illawarra hesitant to fill the gap left between what the Knights were going to pay and Saifiti’s expectations. He undertook a medical at the Dragons.

Saifiti travelled to Queensland last month to meet with Dolphins officials were it is understood he came to the realisation that his time at the Knights would end.

Daniel Saifiti's Instagram story with Dane Gagai.

He knows incoming Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf from his stint at Newcastle – first as Nathan Brown’s assistant and then as interim coach for the final two games of the 2019 season.

The Dolphins have been on the lookout for a marquee prop to add to their forward pack for next season. They went close to securing Melbourne-bound Stefano Utoikamanu and have remained interested.

The Dolphins have already added rising Cowboys back-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki with earmarked Saifiti to replace Jesse Bromwich who has retired following their final round loss to Newcastle.

Knights winger Enari Tuala could be on his way to the Bulldogs. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

The Dolphins hope to welcome back injured representative duo Tom Gilbert and Tom Flegler next year too.

Brailey is another Knights player who could be on the move. He has 12 months left on his deal with the Eels set to register an interest given their lack of depth in the dummy half position.

The Knights have Phoenix Crossland and have signed ex-Eels rake Matt Arthur to a three-year contract.

The 23-year-old Jenkins made five appearances this season but it is understood he will leave the club at the end of the season despite having another year remaining on his current deal.

Tuala, meanwhile, has scored five tries in 15 appearances this season but is off contract at the end of the season and looks set to join the Bulldogs