NRL news: Braidon Burns joins North Queensland Cowboys, Storm move to extend Jahrome Hughes

The North Queensland Cowboys have secured a talented, if often injured, South Sydney back as the Storm move to lock down one of their biggest stars for life. See the latest transfer news.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 17: Braidon Burns of the Rabbitohs is tackled during the NRL Pre-Season Challenge round one match between St George Illawarra Dragons and South Sydney Rabbitohs at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on February 17, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

North Queensland are set to sign South Sydney experienced outside back Braidon Burns on an immediate deal.

It is understood Burns will link with the Cowboys for at least the rest of the season to help boost the club’s backline depth.

Burns returned to South Sydney this season on a part-time contract and had been playing with their NSW Cup team.

Last season the 27-year-old played eight games for the Bulldogs. He made his NRL debut for South Sydney in 2017 and has played 62 top grade games.

STORM PREPARE HUGE HUGHES OFFER

The Storm have ramped up their bid to retain Jahrome Hughes for life and fend off Des Hasler’s circling Titans ahead of Saturday’s showdown on the Gold Coast.

Melbourne powerbrokers are set to meet with Hughes’ camp this weekend as they look to secure the Kiwis Test star for the remainder of his career.

Hughes has emerged as prime recruitment target for the rebuilding Titans amid speculation he was considering a return to the Gold Coast for family reasons.

Hughes, 29, completed school on the Gold Coast, where his partner hails from, and made his NRL debut for the Titans in 2013 before being shown the door.

He spent the next three years fighting for his NRL career, playing one game for the Cowboys in 2016 before the Storm offered him a third crack.

Hughes has since gone on to become one of the NRL’s top playmakers, a premiership-winning Test star that could command well beyond $1 million-a-season on the open market.

Hughes has started the season strongly, and Storm want to keep him in Melbourne for the rest of his career. Picture: Getty Images

Hughes is contracted to the Storm until the end of 2026 and his management will not entertain interest from rival clubs, however that hasn’t eased speculation that he could be Gold Coast-bound for a career swan song.

With veteran Kieran Foran nearing retirement and Tanah Boyd fighting for survival, the Titans are in need of a gun playmaker if they want to become a genuine NRL title threat.

Titans coach Hasler dodged questions about his interest in Hughes in the lead-up to Saturday’s clash at Cbus Super Stadium.

“Jahrome Hughes … I can’t speak about Jahrome Hughes,” he said.

“We don’t discuss contracts here and he’s still got two years to go. I can’t go near that.”

When pressed on whether he’d pursue Hughes if he became available, Hasler said: “He’s signed for two years and we don’t talk contracts.”

It was hardly a denial and Gold Coast’s interest remains genuine.

But they face a fight to prise Hughes out of Melbourne as Storm coach Craig Bellamy plots another premiership pursuit.

Jahrome Hughes was a Titans junior. Picture: Adam Head

Hughes is under lock and key for the time being in arguably the NRL’s hottest spine alongside Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Ryan Papenhuyzen.

But the Titans would roll out the red carpet if he wants to return to the Gold Coast.

“He’s one of the best halves in the comp,” Titans fullback AJ Brimson said.

“Their whole spine and team is good. There’s a lot of players to watch and he’s definitely one of them.

“I heard those rumours (about Hughes returning). He shut them down pretty quickly, but if any good player wants to come to the Coast they’re always welcome.”

Hughes has started the season in hot form for the top two Storm.

Now a 133-game NRL regular, Hughes said he was far from the finished product following his long road to the top grade.

“I definitely think I can get better as a player,” he said.

“I am still learning as a halfback. I don’t see myself up there with the top-tier players to be honest. There’s elements of my game as a halfback where I’m trying to get better.

“The main goal is to win premierships, but to be able to do that, I need to be performing in my position. Every week, I’m trying to get better.

“I feel like I have a lot of attributes, but I don’t bring them out enough. I have that attacking ability but my all-round game is just as important.

“Another part I really want to get better is with my leadership stuff. I want to help the players around me get better.

“I look at the great halves of the game in the past and they have always helped the people around them get better. That’s something I’m working on more.”

—Travis Meyn & Peter Badel

JOHNSON-ROOSTERS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE

—Brent Read, Michael Carayannis

The Roosters are resigned to Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson remaining at the Auckland-based club for another season after exploring the possibility of signing the experienced halfback to help mentor Sam Walker and Sandon Smith.

Johnson is off contract at the end of the year and the Warriors have begun planning for life after the veteran having signed Penrith youngster Jett Cleary and identified prospective options at rival clubs.

The Roosters want an experienced half and it’s understood they had discussions about securing Johnson as a replacement for the retired Luke Keary.

Shaun Johnson could mentor the young Roosters halves. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

While Robinson made it clear that the club had every faith in Smith and Walker and was reluctant to block their path to first grade, he also said they would like an experienced playmaker to work alongside the pair to help with their development.

Johnson is one of the few halves off contract who meet the brief.

The Warriors talisman has been in good form this season but a return to Sydney would be a surprise given he returned to New Zealand hoping to kickstart his career after a mixed time at Cronulla.

He did just that as he took the Warriors into the top four.

The club has high hopes for Sam Walker. Picture: NRL Photos

“That would be ideal (an experienced half) if the player is right,” Robinson said. “If it’s not, then we’re not going to put someone in front of Sandon that’s not of high quality. If we think someone is really experienced and can do that [we would look at it] … but we are in May, and for next year most of the time they’re all signed.

“So, that’s difficult there, but we also really believe in Sandon. If we have to go young and develop them through next year, then we will.”

Johnson knocked back the chance to sign with the Roosters six years ago before he joined Cronulla, the club having identified him as the successor to Cooper Cronk.