NRL Market Watch: Sio Siua Taukeiaho opens up on NRL return; Connor Watson meets with Bulldogs

Sio Siua Taukeiaho has confirmed he will be leaving the Super League at season’s end to revive his NRL career next year. Read the full interview

Sio Siua Taukeiaho has revealed he is returning to the NRL to chase a hat-trick of premiership rings as the Bulldogs ramp-up plans to bring the former Roosters title winner to Belmore.

Speaking exclusively to this masthead, Taukeiaho also outlined his other major ambition — to fill the boxing void left by retired Sharks great Paul Gallen and become one of Australia’s best heavyweights.

Taukeiaho is contracted to Catalans Dragons until the end of 2024 but the Tongan Test powerhouse confirmed he will be leaving the French Super League club at season’s end to revive his NRL career next year.

The skilful prop, who turns 32 in January, said he had yet to officially sign with an NRL club, but the Bulldogs are tipped to edge out the Dragons and Wests Tigers in a bidding war for his services.

“I’ve spoken with Catalans, I’ve let them know it’s my plan to come back to the NRL next year,” Taukeiaho said.

Siosiua Taukeiaho has revealed he is returning to the NRL to chase a hat-trick of premiership rings. Picture: NRL Photos

“At the moment, I haven’t signed anything officially, but I’m coming back to the NRL.

“Wherever I end up, I believe I have a good two or three years left in me. I’ve won premierships at the Roosters and I think my experience can be helpful.

“I’ve had some talks with a couple of clubs, but nothing is officially signed yet.

“There’s no issues with Catalans. They have been great, we’re leading the Super League and I would love to finish here with a premiership, but I believe I’ve got more to offer in the NRL.”

Taukeiaho has a two-fold career plan when he returns to Australia.

The 168-game veteran won back-to-back titles with the Roosters in 2018-19 and the goalkicking front-rower would relish a third premiership ring in his twilight years in the NRL.

In retirement, Taukeiaho wants to emulate Gallen’s sporting transition by moving from rugby league to boxing.

The 101kg enforcer beat Jaiman Lowe in his boxing debut last year and Taukeiaho is keen for an NRL blockbuster bout with NSW Origin and Samoa Test rival Junior Paulo later this year.

“There’s a couple of reasons for coming home,” he said from France.

Taukeiaho beat Jaiman Lowe in his boxing debut last year and wants to continue with the sport. Picture: Getty Images

“I’ve been homesick over here and while I’ve really enjoyed my time with the boys and the club is great, I have missed my family. We’ve got three boys and we’ve missed the support networks.

“But I also want to pursue a career in boxing after NRL.

“There’s a void there that needs to be filled now that Paul Gallen has retired and I would like to fight Junior Paulo and one of us could become the next Paul Gallen.

“I would love to take that mantle as the next Paul Gallen in the ring.

“I’ve had some talks to fight Junior at the end of the year. I have great respect for Junior, he is a good boxer, but we can put Polynesian boys on the map with this fight and I believe with the right training, I can beat him.

“I’m really passionate about boxing.

“Rugby league is my focus at the moment and I’ll give 100 per cent to my new club in the NRL next season, but down the track I’d love to take boxing seriously after I retire from football.”

ROOSTERS VETERAN COULD JOIN MASS DOGS DEFECTION

By Dean Ritchie and David Riccio

Roosters veteran could join mass defection to Bulldogs

The Bulldogs revival is gathering momentum by the hour - with Roosters X-factor Connor Watson the latest potential recruit.

Fresh from signing South Sydney fullback Blake Taaffe and Panthers utility Jaeman Salmon, Watson is at the pointy end of discussions with Bulldogs GM Phil Gould.

Watson, who hasn’t played since last year’s semi finals after suffering a serious leg injury, only needs to pass a medical assessment by the Bulldogs, to receive a formal offer.

Watson is close to returning to play after suffering a shocking patella tendon injury.

Like Taafe and Salmon, the Bulldogs view Watson as a genuine footballer who can break a game open while also playing a number of positions in the spine.

Jaeman Salmon. Picture: NRL Photos

Connor Watson. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty

Watson is also weighing-up interest from two UK Super League clubs and he may opt to take up the opportunity to take his game overseas with a view to travelling the world.

While the club is yet to finalise the signings, Canterbury is preparing to announce Taaffe and Salmon on two-year deals worth around $250,000 each.

Former Roosters premiership-winning prop Sio Siua Taukeiaho is another poised to land at Canterbury.

The Bulldogs this week lured forward Liam Knight from Souths effective immediately.

Knight was named in the Dogs reserves list to face The Dolphins, but could be a late inclusion.

NRL HALF TO TOUR WESTS TIGERS

- Michael Carayannis and Brent Read

Wests Tigers have stepped up their pursuit of St George Illawarra half Jayden Sullivan as club officials plan to meet the Dragons playmaker on Thursday.

Sullivan has been given permission to leave the Dragons at the end of the season as part of incoming coach Shane Flanagan’s roster rebuild.

The Tigers have emerged as the favourites to land the 21-year-old, who is sidelined for the rest of the season after again injuring his hamstring.

It is understood Sullivan is scheduled to meet the Tigers on Thursday. Plans to host Sullivan at the club’s Centre of Excellence come as the Tigers’ pursuit of former Brisbane and Melbourne half Brodie Croft hits a roadblock.

Croft’s camp had been in talks with the Tigers over a potential return to the NRL but this masthead understands those negotiations have now cooled after the Tigers offer fell short of expectations.

Talks between the Tigers and Brodie Croft have gone cold. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty

Croft signed a long-term extension with Super League side Salford last year but was open to a return to the NRL. Those discussions are believed to have collapsed.

Sullivan, who still has two more years left on his contract, is seemingly more of a priority for the Tigers after being told by Flanagan that he would be allowed to leave the club immediately.

The Tigers are desperately looking to lock down some halves. They already added impressive teen Latu Fainu on a four-year contract from next season.

Tigers remain in talks with Aidan Sezer about a potential NRL return with Sezer keen to finish his career in Australia.

Jayden Sullivan is set to meet with the Tigers. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

Sezer has been offered a one-year contract by the Tigers but there is a push to secure him a potential 12 month option on top of his one year deal.

While the Tigers look to re-jig their roster, the Dragons are in the midst of their own revamp.

Sullivan is the first high profile player set to be shown the door by Flanagan. He is not alone though.

Teammates including Zane Musgrove and Jaiyden Hunt can also move on if they can secure deals elsewhere despite having 12 months left on their contracts.

Josh Kerr and Moses Mbye have already left the Dragons while the likes of Billy Burns, Dan Russell and Connor Muhleisen, who makes his NRL for the Dragons on Saturday night, are pushing to secure contract extensions.

Originally published as NRL Market Watch: Sio Siua Taukeiaho opens up on NRL return; Connor Watson meets with Bulldogs