Fonua Pole extends Wests Tigers deal, Sevens star Nathan Lawson in line for Dragons debut

The Wests Tigers have landed another signing coup while former Rugby Sevens star Nathan Lawson is feverishly learning the Dragons playbook after his NRL conversion.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 24: Fonua Pole of the Tigers is tackled during the round 12 NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers at Qld Country Bank Stadium, on May 24, 2024, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The Wests Tigers have landed another significant pre-season blow after convincing impressive forward Fonua Pole to knock back interest from the Melbourne Storm and sign a two-year extension with the club.

Pole emerged as one of the Tigers’ important players last season, becoming a fixture in their pack as he made 23 appearances for the club.

He entered the final year of his deal on November 1 and it is understood the Storm were keen to lure him to Melbourne, where his younger brother Suli is part of the system.

Impressive youngster Fonua Pole has extended his stay at the Tigers until 2027. Picture: Getty Images

However, Pole has instead opted to stay at the Tigers in a huge vote of confidence for coach Benji Marshall and chief executive Shane Richardson, signing a deal that will tie him to the Tigers until the end 2027.

Pole’s retention continues a resurgent pre-season for Marshall and the club, who added Sydney Roosters forward Terrell May to their ranks as part of a recruitment drive that has netted the likes of Jarome Luai, Royce Hunt and Jack Bird.

SEVENS STAR IN LINE FOR STUNNING NRL DEBUT WITH DRAGONS

- Jamie Pandaram

Rugby Sevens star Nathan Lawson is feverishly learning the Dragons playbook via video sessions as he prepares to make a stunning NRL debut alongside Valentine Holmes and Clint Gutherson next year.

Weeks after winning the Australia’s men’s Sevens player of the year award, Lawson announced his code switch to league after being wooed by Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, and having never played the game before, is now brushing up on his knowledge via software program Hudl.

The Dragons have been trying to offload winger Mikaele Ravalawa, so it’s likely Lawson will battle Tyrell Sloan, Christian Tuipulotu, Mat Feagai and Sione Finau for a starting wing spot in a revamped Dragons backline that now features former Eels skipper Gutherson and Queensland Origin star Holmes.

“I’ve been in contact with the Dragons got all their Hudl and all their footage so I’m obviously just watching that and getting my head around all their training and everything, just so when I rock up in December it’s not a huge shock to me,” Lawson told this masthead.

“It’s more mentally getting myself ready, I think Sevens will prepare me fitness wise, the physical side should be fine.

“It’s very exciting to think I could (play alongside Holmes and Gutherson). I think if you play outside them, they make a game very easy.

Sevens star Nathan Lawson has revealed he’s been feverishly learning the Dragons playbook ahead of his NRL debut. Picture: Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images

“I’ve just got to work hard enough to be able to get a spot there, and I think that will just make my game simple as anything.”

The 25-year-old, who began his rugby career in the forwards but transitioned to a power runner in Sevens with a 94kg frame, knew it was time to take a gamble on the NRL after the Paris Olympics.

“After the Olympics I had a good think about it, because the next Olympics is four years away, that’s a commitment to a four-year cycle and I wanted to try something new, I felt like I’d achieved pretty much everything I wanted in Sevens other than winning the Olympics,” Lawson said.

Nathan Lawson scores for Australia during the Paris Olympics. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

“People had always said to me that I’d suit NRL. I’ve just laughed it, but it wasn’t until I sat down with my manager and had a good talk about it that we actually realised it could be a really good option.

“It is a great product that’s so big in Australia and I think that was a pretty clear decision for me . Union at the moment is probably just lacking a little – it is building slowly – but the product in league and where I’d like kind of fit in there is probably a better option.

“Even when I go home, I flick the league on, it’s great to watch, all your friends, everyone loves it and watches it and then I feel like it’s a bit of a struggle to try to convince my friends that rugby and Super Rugby was also a good product.

“Just being able to get the opportunity to maybe be in that team and play some NRL is just huge.

“I had a good meeting with Flanno and I got really excited and saw there was probably a good chance that I could get in and around the squad and learn from them.

“He’d watched a little bit of my footy and I think the Seven skill-set rather than rugby union skill-set is a bit more transferable. I think he likes my pace and the way that I’d probably played a bit in forwards in union at the start but then transitioned a bit more into the wing.”

Originally published as Fonua Pole extends Wests Tigers deal, Sevens star Nathan Lawson in line for Dragons debut