Dragons rookie Nathan Lawson earns contract extension after NRL debut

After joining the Dragons last December from rugby union on a bottom-dollar development deal, Nathan Lawson has earned himself a contract extension after just one game. See the latest transfer news.

An NRL debut with the Dragons isn’t the only win for rugby sevens convert Nathan Lawson.

The two-time Olympian has also scored a new contract with St George-Illawarra, due to a rare clause in his current deal.

Signed last December from rugby union by the Dragons on a bottom-dollar development deal, Lawson’s contract included an immediate trigger of a new one-year deal for 2026, if he were to make his NRL debut.

Lawson achieved the new top-30 contract with a strong debut on the wing for the Dragons in their 20-6 win over the Knights on Friday night in Sydney.

“If I debuted, it triggered a contract for next year,” Lawson confirmed.

“It kind of gave the club and myself a bit of security. For them it was a case of if it didn’t work out, and me, if I didn’t enjoy it or it didn’t work out.

“It’s nice.

“It’s peace of mind now knowing I’m locked in for next year because I’m really enjoying the change.

“I love the club and I want to stick around and see where I can go with the club.”

Nathan Lawson has earned a contract extension after playing just one NRL game. Picture: Getty Images

The 26-year-old, who represented the Australian Sevens team at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, showed plenty of promise by running for 176 metres, with four tackle busts and one line break, against the Knights.

Remarkably, it was just the ninth professional game of rugby league of his life, having been eased into the 13-man game via NSW Cup on eight occasions, before earning his NRL debut.

Lawson grew-up playing rugby union as a junior with Sutherland Shire club Burraneer before playing schoolboys rugby at Newington College.

He then progressed to the sevens format, representing Australia at the Tokyo and Paris Games.

He revealed the code-switch of his former schoolboy and sevens teammates, including Roosters star Mark Nawaqanitawase, provided confidence that he too, could make the jump.

“I had never tried rugby league. My pre-season trial match I had against the Roosters was my first ever game,” Lawson said.

“At Newington in Year 8 I watched former NRL players Tepai Moeroa, Taane Milne and Joey Lussick play, who were all the school’s first XV.

“So I watched them come into league and kill it, so that was good to see. But then I played alongside the likes of Bailey Simonsson (Eels) and Cam Murray (Rabbitohs) at school.

“Seeing how well they made it, it showed me that it’s possible.

“And also, being able to speak to Mark Nawaqanitawase as well, they gave me confidence that I could get out there and get the job done and hopefully be a regular player.

“Mark and I are good mates, having him there and knowing I played alongside him with a similar style of footy helped me realise that I wouldn’t be too far out of place.”

Lawson celebrates with friends and family after making his NRL debut for the Dragons in Round 13. Picture: NRL Images.

Lawson said the greatest differences between rugby union and the NRL were the focus on slowing the tackle down and the continuous movement and speed of rugby league.

He conceded that he was really nervous prior to making his debut for Saints, but was now focused on developing his game.

“You get a little sniff of it and you want to stay there for good,” Lawson said.

“But at the same time, I know how competitive this game is and how competitive the squad is as well. We’ve got some seriously talented boys in the team.

“I’m just lucky I got my debut game and if I’m not playing next week, that’s life, I’ll just keep learning and getting better and wait for the next opportunity.

“I wanted to get out there and make everyone proud and do my job.

“I’m glad that it all went well because it was an important win for the team.”

EXCLUSIVE: RUGBY’S BOLD PLAN TO STEAL NRL SUPERSTAR

—Peter Badel and Travis Meyn

Isaiya Katoa has started extension talks with the Dolphins as his manager revealed the halfback sensation rejected a series of rugby poaching raids — including one from former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.

This masthead can reveal Katoa is keen to remain at Redcliffe for an extended term following a sizzling start to the 2025 season that has seen the 21-year-old earmarked to become the No. 1 player in the NRL.

Katoa is the talk of rugby league after a slew of outstanding performances over the past eight weeks.

NRL Immortal Andrew Johns and Queensland great Cooper Cronk have dubbed the youngster a generational talent, while Johns’ brother, former NSW and Test pivot Matthew, says it’s only a matter of time before Katoa is the king of the NRL.

Acutely aware of the special talent on their books, the Dolphins last year signed Katoa to a three-year extension, securing him to the Redcliffe organisation until the end of 2028.

Dolphins whiz-kid Isaiya Katoa is rated a generational talent.

But with two new expansion clubs in Perth and Papua New Guinea on the horizon, the Dolphins are open to a longer-term extension to ensure the classy Katoa becomes Redcliffe’s franchise player.

There is a view Katoa, who doesn’t turn 22 until next February, could be the NRL’s first $2 million player and his manager confirmed he has kicked-off dialogue with the Dolphins on the playmaker’s future.

“Yes, we’ve begun some preliminary talks with the Dolphins,” said Katoa’s manager Sam Ayoub.

“Isaiya has another couple of years on his deal, so he’s going nowhere, but in the meantime he is letting his football do the talking.

“He is a very special talent.

“I will never forget when the Dolphins first signed him. He did a Zoom meeting because it was during Covid and Isaiya was still at school. He was wearing his school blazer and shirt and tie talking to Peter O’Sullivan (former Dolphins recruitment boss).

“I remember saying to Wayne Bennett (Dolphins inaugural coach) how good this kid is.

“I said to Wayne, ‘I can’t promise you he will start the year for you, but I promise he will finish the year for you’ and that’s how it turned out.

Katoa has ruled out a return to his junior club Penrith.

“The Dolphins have been very good to Isaiya, so we’ll continue discussions.”

The parties have not discussed terms at this stage, but the fresh dialogue is evidence of Katoa’s contentment at the Dolphins since his move to Queensland as an 18-year-old.

It will also emphatically scupper speculation Katoa could return to his junior club Penrith to play alongside Nathan Cleary, with ‘Special K’ settled at the Dolphins under coach Kristian Woolf, also his Tongan Test mentor.

One ever-present threat, beyond NRL clubs and expansion teams, is Australian rugby given Katoa’s history with the sport.

Katoa played the 15-a-side game at Barker College, which is when he first piqued the interest of Australian rugby scouts.

In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald last month, former Wallabies coach Jones dropped a bombshell, claiming he would have poached Katoa from the Dolphins if not for his departure after Australia’s disastrous 2023 World Cup campaign.

Ayoub confirmed rugby’s interest, but insists Katoa’s first preference is rugby league and says it would have been a major shock if he left the Dolphins to chase Wallaby gold.

“They did chase him for a while, absolutely,” Ayoub said of rugby’s poaching bids.

Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones was confident of luring Katoa to rugby.

“He went to Barker College on a sporting education, that’s why he is such a well-spoken kid, but he was always busting to go back to league once he finished union.

“When he finished in union, he was back playing for Penrith in the SG Ball and Jersey Flegg and he won them both grand finals.

“Because he was going to a rugby school, Rugby Australia identified him and he was just a class above as you can see now.

“My son (Liam Ayoub) has rugby accreditation and had some talks with Rugby Australia, but we never pursued it too hard because Isaiya had his heart set on league.

“I don’t think Isaiya was ever seriously looking at the Wallabies or elite rugby, he loves rugby league and it was always his goal to play NRL.”

Katoa’s numbers this season underline why he is regarded as a future champion. He leads the NRL for kick metres (5377m) and is ranked No. 1 for line engagements with 124, far ahead of next best Nicho Hynes (95), which is statistical proof of his willingness to attack deep in the line.

Having compiled 56 NRL games, Katoa could command close to $1 million a season on the open market, but the Dolphins No. 7 says he has no plans to leave the club.

“I’m definitely not going back to Sydney,” Katoa said.

“I don’t know where that chat came from but I’m definitely not going back to Sydney. I’m staying with the Dolphins.

“I love the Dolphins and being able to play under a coach like ‘Woolfy’. I feel like I play my best footy under him.

“I’m definitely not going anywhere. My family love it here, too.

“They have moved from Sydney and my partner loves it up here as well.”

Woolf, who gave Katoa his Tonga Test debut in 2022, wants to build the Dolphins around him.

“He’s exceptional in every way,“ he said. “The way he carries himself, the way he wants to learn, and the consistency he’s showing for a younger player.

“He’s developing into a leader and helping others around him improve too.”

Originally published as Dragons rookie Nathan Lawson earns contract extension after NRL debut