NRL news: Lewis Dodd of St Helens to join South Sydney Rabbitohs from 2025

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have pulled off a significant signing coup luring a star English halfback to the club. Full details here

Struggling South Sydney have been given a much-needed boost with the Rabbitohs set to agree to a shock long-term deal with English halfback Lewis Dodd.

It is understood that Dodd is likely to join the Rabbitohs from next season on a three to four year contract having told his Super League club St Helens of the impending move. This masthead has learnt that South Sydney’s football manager Mark Ellison will fly to England in coming days where a deal is likely to be done. Ellison will travel to the Super League to meet with Dodd and other potential recruits.

The impending decision casts uncertainty surrounding injured South Sydney halfback Lachie Ilias who still has 12 months left on his contract. Current no.7 Dean Hawkins is off-contract at the end of the season.

St Helens star Lewis Dodd will join the Rabbitohs in 2025. Picture: Getty Images

Regardless, the Rabbitohs are trying to make big moves in a bid to reignite a team which sits at the bottom of the premiership ladder. Dodd is expected to partner Cody Walker, who has just one more season left on his deal, in the halves next season.

Dodd is arguably the hottest prospect playing in the Super League and a host of NRL clubs were circling the 22-year-old halfback who was off-contract at the end of the season.

The Dolphins were considered a strong chance to sign Dodd given his relationship with incoming Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf. Woolf coached Dodd at St Helens with the pair combining for premiership success in 2021 against Catalans.

However, his future is shaping up to be with the Rabbitohs despite the uncertainty surrounding who may be the club’s long-term coach as pressure mounts on Jason Demetriou.

It is understood Demetriou is aware of the club’s approach to Dodd.

Lachlan Ilias still has 12 months left on his deal with the Rabbitohs. Picture: Getty Images

Dodd kicked an extra time field goal to give St Helens victory against Penrith in 2023 and St Helens again sit on top of the Super League ladder.

It would be the first major change at South Sydney who are in a desperate need to rejuvenate their roster in a bid to fast-track their success.

Walker and fellow veteran Damien Cook have 12 months left on their deals. Dodd would be South Sydney’s first signing for next year with veteran prop Tom Burgess heading to the Super League.

The Rabbitohs have a two-year offer out to prop Shaq Mitchell while have re-signed the likes of Jye Gray, Peter Mamouzelos, Ben Lovett and Thomas Fletcher.

Ilias lost his starting start at the Rabbitohs following a round two loss to Brisbane. He suffered a season ending leg injury in NSW Cup after Warriors hooker Freddy Lussick attempted a charge-down gone wrong.

Gareth Widdop and George Williams are two recent English-born halves who have had success in the NRL. Widdop won a premiership with Melbourne before captaining St George Illawarra, while Williams only lasted 32 games at Canberra but played finals in his only full season.

Originally published as NRL news: Lewis Dodd of St Helens to join South Sydney Rabbitohs from 2025