NRL news 2024: Dragons sign Christian Tuipulotu from Manly, Bulldogs end Terrell May pursuit
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Manly flyer Christian Tuipulotu will reunite with Shane Flanagan at the Dragons after agreeing to join St George Illawarra on an immediate switch.
Tuipulotu will be granted a release from the final two years of his deal with the Sea Eagles and sign with St George Illawarra until at least the end of 2025.
The Sea Eagles gave the 22-year-old permission to negotiate with the Dragons who have been on the look-out to add some much needed speed to their backline.
The Tongan winger has played 33 games in the NRL since making his debut for the Roosters in 2020. Tuipulotu will compete for a starting outside back spot at the Dragons despite Tyrell Sloan, Zac Lomax, Jack Bird, Moses Suli and Mikaele Ravalawa loom as the likely back five to start the season for the Dragons.
The addition of Tuipulotu – following on from the recent signing of Raymond Faitala-Mariner – means the Dragons have completed their 30-man roster.
For the Sea Eagles, their off-season purchases of backline players Tommy Talau and Jaxson Paulo meant they have enough cover to allow Tuipulotu to leave.
His exit is expected to open up a top 30 spot for Nathan Brown to be upgraded from a train and trial contract into a full-time deal. Brown is pushing to make Manly’s starting 17 for their opening clash against South Sydney.
BULLDOGS END ON $1.6M ROOSTERS PURSUIT
- Brent Read and Michael Carayannis
The Bulldogs are ready to pull the pin on their $1.6 million pursuit of Terrell May amid concerns over the glacial pace of talks with the Sydney Roosters prop.
This masthead understands that the Dogs also harbour doubts over May’s desire to change clubs after he left his long-time agent Matt Desira and joined a rival stable, fearing it is a sign that he is likely to stay at the Roosters.
May, off contract at the end of the season, had spoken openly of his desire to play alongside his brothers Taylan and Tyrone at some point in the future and the Bulldogs had indicated a willingness to at least consider signing all three – they tabled a deal for Tyrone last year but withdrew the contract offer amid concerns over his past.
Terrell was the most advanced in talks with the club, the parties having spoken about a long term deal from 2025 that would have given him a significant pay rise from next season.
However, it is understood those talks now stand on the verge of collapse and the Bulldogs are resigned to looking elsewhere for big men capable of filling a gaping void in their front row stocks.
The Bulldogs have had little luck in their pursuit of a front rower. They had hoped to sign former Roosters star Siosiua Taukeiaho for this season but he failed a medical on his knee and returned to French Super League side Catalans.
May was an even more prized target given he is only 24 and entering the prime of his career, having played 17 games last season for the Roosters last season and become a valuable member of their pack.
The Bulldogs were prepared to give him a deal that reflected their belief that he was capable of becoming one of the best front rowers in the game.
However, talks have dragged on for weeks and the ‘Dogs have grown increasingly pessimistic about their chances of luring him away from the Roosters.
With May expected to stay at Bondi Junction, the Bulldogs are now expected to shift their attention elsewhere as they look to find an enforcer capable of helping them dominate the middle of the field.
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Originally published as NRL news 2024: Dragons sign Christian Tuipulotu from Manly, Bulldogs end Terrell May pursuit
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