NRL transfer news: Roosters give Terrell May permission to leave club, fuels speculation club is interested in Ben Hunt
The Roosters have given prop forward Terrell May permission to explore the open market, fuelling speculation the club could be set to make a play for Ben Hunt. See the latest transfer news.
The Sydney Roosters have given prop Terrell May permission to explore the open market as they look to unshackle $1 million of salary cap space in a move that has heightened talk of interest in clubless Ben Hunt.
May, who only signed a contract extension six months ago, is in England with the Samoan team but was informed by Roosters coach Trent Robinson on Thursday (AEDT) that he was free to leave.
It is understood further discussions between the Roosters and May’s management were held on Friday morning, prompting his agent to reach out to a handful of potential destinations and leading to speculation that the club could enter the race for Hunt.
Hunt, part of the Kangaroos squad for the Pacific Championships, is currently without a home after parting ways with St George Illawarra earlier this week and would seem an ideal fit for a Roosters side that will be without halfback Sam Walker and hooker Brandon Smith until the middle of next year.
Walker, who is expected on Friday to officially put pen to paper on a new deal that will keep him at the Roosters until at least the end of 2027, is recovering from knee surgery, as is Smith.
Walker’s retention was a key plank for the Roosters but his absence will hit hard through the opening months of the season and Hunt would help ease the pain.
It is understood the Roosters didn’t have the financial artillery to compete with rival clubs for Hunt’s signature but that will change if May finds a new home.
The Roosters prop is unlikely to have trouble doing that given the number of clubs that are in the market for middle forwards next season.
The Bulldogs, Wests Tigers, Dragons and Dolphins are among those on the lookout for front row talent and May fits the bill.
The 25-year-old signed a new deal with the Roosters in May but it is understood the club felt they needed to reshape their roster and he is set to become a casualty given their wealth of middle options.
A number of clubs were notified of his changed circumstance on Friday and were believed to be investigating the background behind the Roosters’ decision to allow him to depart given he only recently signed an extension worth up to $1 million.
Sources close to May insist it is purely a football decision as the Roosters digest the fallout from this season and work out what they need to do to ensure they are competitive in 2025.
May’s departure will give them the flexibility to make changes and Hunt is the most high-profile option, although he won’t be the only one as other clubs follow suit and look at ways to shake up their roster.
May, meanwhile, has another Test to play for Samoa before he returns to Sydney to find a new home in coming weeks.
The Tigers, Dolphins and Bulldogs are all believed to be in the market for Newcastle and New Zealand prop Leo Thompson, who is off contract for the 2026 season.
May, who was close to joining the Bulldogs prior to his decision to re-sign with the Roosters, is up for grabs straight away and would come at a cheaper price.
BRONCOS MONITOR SPEEDSTERS
—Travis Meyn
The Broncos have offered an NRL lifeline to a journeyman, Fijian flyer and Super Rugby convert as new coach Michael Maguire prepares to put Brisbane’s aspiring first graders on audition.
Gehamat Shibasaki will return to the Broncos club he made his NRL debut for in 2018 as one of a number of players on and train and trial contracts ahead of the 2025 Premiership.
The Broncos kick off pre-season training on Monday under Maguire, with a number of new faces to appear at Red Hill.
Shibasaki, 26, is the most recognisable of those on trial, having returned to Red Hill following four years away with the Cowboys, Knights and Rabbitohs.
The outside back made his NRL debut for the Broncos in 2018 and played 13 games for Brisbane before registering another 17 first grade appearances over the next four seasons.
Having signed with Brisbane affiliate club Wynnum-Manly for the upcoming Hostplus Cup season, Shibasaki will be given a crack at securing an NRL contract over the summer.
Maguire is also keen to run his eye over one of Queensland’s fastest flyers in Brisbane Tigers product Ronald Philitoga.
Philitoga, 23, is currently with the Fiji Test team in the Pacific Championships and will return to have a crack at the next level after starring in the Hostplus Cup this year.
Former Melbourne Rebels winger Glen Vaihu is also on his way to Red Hill for a trial.
Vaihu, 23, spent four seasons with the now defunct Rebels before joining Souths Logan this year.
Vaihu started on the wing opposite Joseph Suaalii in an Aussie Schoolboys test in 2019 and outscored him three tries to two.
The flyer grew up in the Broncos heartland of Rochdale South, becoming a three-year star for Gregory Terrace’s First XV schoolboy team playing alongside Wallaby Harry Wilson.
The Broncos are also keen to see how Redcliffe recruit Latrell Siegwalt fares in a full-time system.
Siegwalt was the Hostplus Cup rookie of the year following a sizzling season with the Dolphins and has been picked up by Souths Logan for 2025.
Ex-Melbourne Storm prop Tristan Powell has returned to the Burleigh Bears after making his NRL debut this year and will join the Broncos for the pre-season.
TITANS HALF JOINS WARRIORS
—Michael Carayannis, Brent Read, Travis Meyn
The Warriors have signed Gold Coast half Tanah Boyd after he was spotted touring the New Zealand’s club facilities in recent days.
Boyd, who was granted permission to leave the Titans despite having 12 months left on his contract, was seen in Auckland this week by eagle-eyed Warriors fans.
Boyd, 24, has played 69 games for the Titans since making his NRL debut in 2019.
The Titans announced his departure on Thursday morning.
The Warriors no.7 spot is wide open following the retirement of Shaun Johnson.
Luke Metcalf will be one starting half with the likes of Boyd, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Te Maire Martin also in the squad.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster said Boyd would join incumbent halves Te Maire Martin, Luke Metcalf and Chanel Harris-Tavita heading into the pre-season.
“Tanah’s arrival will create healthy competition among our halves,” he said.
“He brings a great kicking game, strong game management skills and he’s also a proven goal kicker. We’re really looking forward to having him at our club.”
Boyd said he was excited about the opportunity to head across the ditch.
“There’s so much to like about the direction of the club, from Webby to the fans and the support the team gets here (in New Zealand),” he said.
“There’s been plenty of players who have come this way (Australia to New Zealand) in the past and in recent times who have proven that if you buy in you can make an impact and that’s certainly what I plan on doing.”
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