Sea Eagles Lock Down Young Star Koula with Massive Extension
Manly has secured a significant piece of their future, signing dynamic young winger Tolutau Koula to a five-year premiership extension. This landmark deal will keep the 23-year-old Tongan international at the Northern Beaches club until at least the end of the 2031 season, fending off interest from several rival clubs, including the newly formed Perth Bears.
Koula, who was a standout performer for Manly last season, notching an impressive 17 tries in 22 appearances and earning the club’s 2025 Roy Bull Player of the Year award, has committed his long-term future to the Sea Eagles.
“Tolu’s form last year was simply outstanding and deservedly, he was our player of the year,” commented Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold. “In the three years that I’ve coached Tolu, I’ve seen a guy who has obviously got great athletic ability, but his consistency, his efforts at training, and his ability to break tackles has been there for all to see.”
Seibold further elaborated on Koula’s importance to the club’s vision. “Tolu is a very humble guy who has real passion for the club, and he is among a group of players who are the future of the club. I feel like Tolu’s best football is in front him and that he can become one of the game’s most elite outside backs. We are all thrilled he has committed long term.”
Since making his NRL debut with Manly in 2022, Koula has become a vital cog in the Sea Eagles’ attacking machine, accumulating 38 tries in 82 appearances. The Sea Eagles are set to launch their 2026 campaign at home at 4 Pines Park, facing the Canberra Raiders on Saturday, March 7.
Storm’s Achilles Woes: Coates Sidelined for Three Months
Melbourne Storm’s premiership aspirations have taken a hit with the news that star winger Xavier Coates will require Achilles surgery, ruling him out for the first three months of the NRL season. The club is hopeful the Queensland representative will be back on the field by round 10.
Coates’ extended absence will undoubtedly place further pressure on the Storm’s recruitment efforts, particularly their pursuit of former Parramatta Eels playmaker Zac Lomax, who is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club.
The Eels have initiated legal proceedings to block Lomax’s move to Melbourne, citing a breach of contract that stipulated written consent for his release. Lomax had reportedly secured a release to join the now-defunct R360 rugby competition, but with its inaugural season postponed until 2028, he finds himself in limbo.
Coates sustained a partial Achilles tear during last year’s grand final, and despite significant pre-season rehabilitation efforts, surgery has been deemed the most effective course of action.
“Xavier has put in a huge amount of work across pre-season and has been able to make positive steps in his recovery,” stated Storm football director Frank Ponissi. “Unfortunately, he has not been able to progress as we would have hoped, and with the season fast approaching, surgery has been determined as the best course of action.”
Coates enjoyed his most prolific season in 2025, crossing for 20 tries in 22 games for the Storm. For their upcoming trial match against the Gold Coast Titans on the Sunshine Coast, former New Zealand rugby sevens star Moses Leo has been named to fill Coates’ role.
Roosters’ New Recruit Robson Suffers Broken Hand
Sydney Roosters have also been dealt a significant blow with star signing Reece Robson set to miss the opening month of the NRL season due to a broken hand. The injury occurred just two weeks before their season-opening clash in New Zealand.
Robson is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks, with the club confirming the injury blow for the NSW Origin hooker on Thursday. The 27-year-old was slated to make his debut for the Roosters in their trial match against Parramatta, where fellow high-profile recruit Daly Cherry-Evans was also scheduled to play his first game for the club.
Robson’s setback delays the Roosters’ ability to assemble what many consider one of the game’s most potent playmaking spines, which includes captain James Tedesco, livewire halfback Sam Walker, Robson, and Cherry-Evans. His recovery timeline suggests he will miss at least the Roosters’ opening four fixtures against the Warriors, Rabbitohs, Panthers, and Sea Eagles, followed by a bye in round five.
Robson arrived at the Roosters on a lucrative four-year deal, fending off attempts by North Queensland to re-sign him in 2024. He joins the Tricolours as the incumbent NSW Blues No. 9 from the past two Origin series. In Robson’s absence, fellow NSW Origin representative Connor Watson is a strong contender to start at hooker, while Samoan international Benaiah Ioelu also impressed when given more game time in the dummy-half role last year.
Perth Bears Poised to Sign First State of Origin Player
The new Perth Bears franchise is on the verge of securing its first State of Origin representative, with Sifa Talakai confirming he is strongly considering a three-year offer from the Western Australian club.
Talakai revealed that a move to Perth appeals not only for the significant financial security it offers his family – he and his partner recently welcomed their fourth child – but also due to the sentimental value Perth holds for him, having debuted in the NRL there and played his first Origin game for NSW in the city.
The 28-year-old Sharks powerhouse indicated he hoped to make a decision by the end of the week. He acknowledged that a move would be emotional, particularly if it marks his final year with the Cronulla club.
“It’s something my partner and I have been talking about, and we know it’s a great opportunity – why wouldn’t you want to go over there and be a founding member as well,” Talakai told this masthead. “It’s going to be hard to get a deal done here at Cronulla. If I had the opportunity to stay, I would, but it’s not about me any more. It’s about what’s best for me, my partner and my family. I don’t want to stand in the way of any players coming through. I’m definitely entertaining the Perth deal.”
Bears coach Mal Meninga, a long-time admirer of Talakai’s versatility, has indicated he foresees the player predominantly featuring as a middle forward. Meninga has stressed to Talakai and other potential recruits that a move to Perth is a “life decision.”
Talakai expressed no concerns about relocating his young family to the other side of the country, stating, “my partner and I are at the stage we can hold our own.”
He further elaborated on Perth’s significance: “I haven’t had the chance to go over there, but Perth holds a special place in my heart because it’s where I debuted for South Sydney in 2016, and I played my first Origin game with the Blues in 2022. When I’ve had to think about the contract situation, and when going back and forth with my manager and partner, and looking back through the years, it kind of brought me to tears. Even speaking now, I feel like I’m getting emotional. This place gave me everything I’ve got now. They gave me a crack when nobody else did. I’m really grateful to the Sharks. If they wanted me to go to hell and back to help secure a premiership, I’d do it without thinking twice. I want to leave no stone unturned, whether this is my last season or not. I’ll be giving it a good crack.”
Talakai’s ability to play in the middle, on the edge, and in the centres, where his leg speed and powerful frame have terrorised opponents, makes him a valuable asset. The Bears have already secured several established NRL players, including Toby Sexton (who will play for Catalans in France this year before heading to Perth), Melbourne duo Tyran Wishart and Nick Meaney, Canterbury’s Josh Curran, and Penrith and New Zealand international Scott Sorensen has also been linked to the club.
Canterbury’s Thompson Out for Three Months with Calf Tear
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have been handed a significant setback with key off-season recruit Leo Thompson ruled out for up to three months due to a calf tear.
The Kiwi prop was a late withdrawal from the Maori All Stars match after reporting calf pain. Scans conducted on Tuesday confirmed the severity of the injury, with Canterbury head of football Phil Gould confirming via social media that an MRI scan had revealed a grade-three tear.
“Ten weeks return to play at this stage, it is what it is, we move on; tough game rugby league,” Gould posted on X.
This news follows closely behind the clearance of five-eighth Matt Burton, who had been a concern after coming off during the club’s trial match against Newcastle with a hamstring issue. Gould indicated that Burton would be fit to play in the Las Vegas season opener against St George Illawarra, although the club has the option to exercise caution given their round-two bye.
Sean O’Sullivan, a potential replacement for Burton in the halves, expressed his readiness to partner Lachie Galvin, while also backing Burton to be fully fit. Burton left the field against Newcastle after experiencing discomfort in his left hamstring following a play-the-ball, before exiting up the tunnel. However, Gould later provided positive news on X, stating, “Matt Burton MRI scan today shows no tear of the hamstring. Awaiting full report, but appears good to go.”
Gould added, “No reason to take any risks in round one. No reason to take big risks anytime when you have depth in your squad. However, if Matt Burton is right to play, he’ll be our five-eighth.” Coach Cameron Ciraldo confirmed after the trial win that O’Sullivan, who joined from the Dolphins in the off-season, would be ready to step in if Burton required more time. “I’ve done heaps of reps in the halves,” O’Sullivan commented. “I’m rooting for Burto. I want him to be super fit, I’m sure he will be.”
Former Sea Eagles CEO in Running for England Rugby League Top Job
Tony Mestrov, the former CEO of the Manly Sea Eagles, has emerged as a leading candidate for the top executive role at the Rugby Football League (RFL) in England. The RFL, which governs the Super League and the England national team, is actively seeking a new group chief executive following the departure of Tony Sutton, with Abi Ekoku currently serving as interim CEO.
Sources close to the recruitment process, who spoke on condition of anonymity, indicated that Mestrov is a person of significant interest. Mestrov served as CEO of Manly for three and a half years.
Upon his departure from the Sea Eagles, chairman Scott Penn commended Mestrov for his efforts in navigating complex issues, including the departures of the Fulton family, Des Hasler’s legal claim against the club (which was settled out of court), the coronial inquest into the death of Keith Titmuss, and the contentious exit of premiership-winning captain Daly Cherry-Evans.
Mestrov’s extensive experience in sports administration includes previous roles as CEO of Greyhounds NSW, chief operating officer of the Gold Coast Titans, and CEO of Hockey NSW. A former prop forward for both the Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles, Mestrov also spent seven years playing in England for Wigan and London.
The RFL has recently undertaken a strategic review and is seeking an experienced leader to revitalise the sport in England. Amidst ongoing financial challenges faced by some English clubs, the NRL is reportedly considering taking a more active role in the governance of rugby league in the country.
Key Injury Updates and Signings:
- Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm): Undergoing Achilles surgery, expected to miss the first three months of the season.
- Reece Robson (Sydney Roosters): Broken hand will sideline the star signing for approximately one month.
- Sifa Talakai (Cronulla Sharks): Reportedly close to signing a three-year deal with the new Perth Bears franchise.
- Leo Thompson (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs): Calf tear confirmed, expected to miss up to three months.
