NRL transfer market: Stay up to date with the latest player movement news across the league

Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins have continued their retention drive, with Tesi Niu pledging his future to the club for another 12 months.

Tesi Niu has signed a new deal with the Dolphins. Picture: Getty Images

Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins have continued their retention drive with Tongan World Cup winger Tesi Niu inking a contract extension.

Niu, who was off-contract at season’s end, has pledged his future to the Dolphins for another 12 months in a boost for the Test flyer as he prepares to face his former Broncos club in Saturday night’s historic clash at the Gabba.

The 21-year-old joined the new franchise after a 32-game, three-year stint at the Broncos and Niu has shown nice touches on the flanks, scoring five tries from nine games this season.

The versatile Niu underlined his toughness by playing 70 minutes with a serious knee injury in the Dolphins’ narrow 18-12 loss to the Broncos in the inaugural Battle of Brisbane in March.

Niu, who will return to the Dolphins’ top side at the Gabba after a brief stint in the Queensland Cup, has signed a one-year extension until the end of 2024.

Dolphins’ chief executive Terry Reader said the international winger or fullback, who has scored four tries in three Tests for Tonga, was a perfect fit for the club’s roster.

“We are very pleased to extend Tesi’s contract for next season,” Reader said.

“He is a Brisbane-born boy and that sits well with the Dolphins’ purpose of providing young Queenslanders a place to play NRL in their home city.

“His NRL career is only just starting and we know that Tesi has a long future in the game.”

The nuggety Niu plays his 42nd NRL game in the second instalment of the Broncos-Dolphins derby.

His signing is another key plank in a Dolphins retention drive that has seen the club upgrade Jeremy Marshall-King, Connelly Lemuelu and Queensland Origin star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in recent months.

Tesi Niu has signed a new deal with the Dolphins. Picture: Getty Images

SEA EAGLES LOCK IN BIG-MONEY SCHUSTER DEAL

Russell Jackson and Michael Carayannis

Manly’s signing spree has continued with Josh Schuster extending his time at the Sea Eagles until the end of the 2027 season.

Schuster is happy to stay at Brookvale and shift from five-eighth to the back-row following the signing of Wests Tigers half Luke Brooks.

Manly coach Anthony Seibold was delighted to secure Schuster’s signature.

“Josh has shown his commitment to playing his best football in a Sea Eagles jersey by signing long term for our club on less financial terms than he could have got elsewhere and for less than his current contract,’’ Seibold said.

“I think this shows his commitment to his teammates and club.

“His best football is in front of him and we look forward to developing Josh into a consistent, high performing NRL player.”

Josh Schuster has signed a bumper new deal with the Sea Eagles.

Schuster said he was very settled at the Sea Eagles.

“I know there will always be media speculation about what players are paid but the fact is I am staying here for less than I was offered elsewhere and less than my current deal which was due to expire in 2024,’’ Schuster said.

The deal is worth $2.5 million.

Manly made Schuster – who still had 12 months left on his current deal – a rich new three year offer earlier this month and he took up that deal after a heart to heart with coach Anthony Seibold on Monday afternoon.

Seibold spoke with Schuster and told him that despite Brooks’ arrival he still valued the 22-year-old and believed he could turn him into one of the game’s best forward edge players. Schuster left that meeting convinced and later that night formally informed the Sea Eagles that he would be taking up the deal to keep him at the club until at least 2027.

While he still harbours a desire to transition permanently into the halves, he has a greater connection to the club and opted against testing the open market.

The Tigers were heavily linked to Schuster given his close relationship with their recruitment boss Scott Fulton although there was some hesitation from those at the Tigers to pursue him.

Seibold was always confident they would keep Schuster.

“We’ve only scratched the surface with where his game is at,” Seibold told this masthead earlier this month. “He has done a good job. He has lot a whole heap of weight in the off-season. He has recently lost eight kilograms through being really disciplined around his lifestyle.

“He has a good understanding of footy and I enjoy working with him. He has been here since he was a kid. We want to keep him at Manly and he wants to stay. We will get something done.”

Schuster has had a mixed season since switching from the back-row to replace Kieran Foran in the halves this year. Injuries and fitness concerns have hampered his season.

The Sea Eagles will now boost plenty of attacking strike weapons next season. Schuster, Brooks, Daly Cherry-Evans, Tom Trbojevic and Tolutau Koula headline an all-star cast of potent attacking players.

Brooks signed a four year deal to join the Sea Eagles from Manly next season while Jaxson Paulo signed for three years and Tommy Talau (two). Koula extended until the end of 2027.

SHARKS SECURE YOUNG GUN

—David Riccio

The Sharks have secured talented backrower Teig Wilton on a new two-year deal.

The 23-year-old from Narooma was one of several Sharks who began the year off-contract with Cronulla, including Will Kennedy, Jesse Ramien, Royce Hunt, Siosifa Talakai and Ronaldo Mulitalo.

Wilton, a former NSW under-20’s captain, will remain at the Sharks until the end of 2025.

“I’m obviously stoked to be sticking around with the boys. It’s a good feeling at the moment, I love the boys and love the club,” Wilton said.

“We’re moving in the right direction, a lot of the boys have been together for a while now and the feel was when we were coming off contract we wanted to stay together.”