2025 NRL Signings Tracker: Whyte extends to 2029 with Roosters
Rising Rooster Naufahu Whyte has signed a three-year extension through to the end of the 2029 season.
Since making his debut in 2021, the 23-year-old has notched 46 NRL appearances, developing into an integral member of Trent Robinson’s pack.
Whyte is averaging 151 run metres per game this season and has also come up with 34 tackle breaks.
“Fahu is a competitor with a deep hunger to improve, and he has worked incredibly hard to earn his standing in our squad,” said Robinson.
“He’s a player you love coaching because he gives everything to the team, and he’s also a genuinely good person, so it’s great to have him locked in as part of our long-term plans.”
Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds will line up for his 15th season in the NRL after signing a one-year deal for the 2026 season.
The 34-year-old made his NRL debut at Souths in 2013 and won a premiership with the Rabbitohs in 2014. He moved to Brisbane in 2022 and has racked up 70 games at Red Hill to take his career tally to 300 games.
“The club and city have welcomed me and my family with open arms, family means everything to me and this is home,” Reynolds said.
“We are really building something special here and I want to be a part of that moving forward.”
Also putting pen to paper on a new deal is star centre Kotoni Staggs, who has re-signed until the end of the 2028 season.
The 26-year-old joined the Broncos as a teenager through the Academy pathways program before making his NRL debut against the Roosters in Round 11, 2018.
Staggs has gone on to play 131 games for the club and his explosive power and line-breaking ability have helped him chalk up 55 tries.
“I’m grateful to be able to stay with the club that has supported me since I was a kid and stuck by me as I developed as a player and person,” Staggs said.
“It means a lot to play in the Broncos jersey, every time I put it on I wear it with heart and leave everything on the field.”
Youngster Blake Mozer has also signed a two-year extension with the Broncos.
Elsewhere, up-and-coming forward Finau Latu will join Canterbury from St George Illawarra, effective immediately until the end of the 2028 season.
Latu has already signed with the Bulldogs for 2026 but will now join the club early.
One of the most sought-after youngsters in the competition,19-year-old Latu has made a meteoric rise through the grades in recent years.
Following selection in the 2023 Australian Schoolboys squad, Latu was a member of the St George Illawarra Dragons’ SG Ball Cup Premiership-winning side the following season. He has since made appearances in both the Jersey Flegg Cup and New South Wales Cup.
“It was no surprise to see a number of clubs were after Finau’s services, but we’re very pleased that he sees his future at Belmore,” Bulldogs GM of Football, Phil Gould, said.
“He will have some exceptional mentors including Max King, Viliame Kikau and Kurt Mann just to name a few, and we believe that he can develop into a great player for the Bulldogs.”
Latu is currently sidelined with a back injury and the move will allow his new club to take over his rehab process.
Wests Tigers, meanwhile, have locked down emerging playmaker Heath Mason on an upgraded deal that will see him remain for another year.
As part of the contract, the 20-year-old has been added to the club’s top-30 squad immediately and had his deal extended through to the end of the 2026 season.
Mason has played in 10 NRL games since making his debut last year and coach Benji Marshall is eager to see the local junior develop into a regular first-grade player.
“Heath has earnt this upgrade and extension. It is wonderful to see the pathways system producing athletes such as Heath,” Marshall said.
“He is a great kid from a great family, and we look forward to seeing him develop further as a footballer into 2026.”
Ball-playing forward Bryce Cartwright has departed the Eels to pursue new opportunities, marking a return to where his rugby league journey began.
Cartwright commenced his career with the St Mary’s Saints before progressing through the Penrith Panthers system.
After stints with the Gold Coast Titans and a transformative period at Parramatta, he now returns to St Mary’s to conclude his professional playing career.
“I’m really thankful to the Eels for the opportunity to be part of this club, it always felt like a home away from home.
“I’m leaving with positive memories, lifelong mates and gratitude for everyone’s support, especially the passionate fans who have always shown me love.”
Emerging forward Tanner Stowers-Smith has signed a three-year contract extension with the Warriors.
The 21-year-old made his NRL debut in Round 11 and shapes as a key figure in the pack over the coming seasons. He will remain with the club until at least the end of the 2028 campaign.
A talented crop of emerging forwards has helped the Warriors charge up the ladder this year, with coach Andrew Webster eager for Stowers-Smith to develop into a physical prop.
“Tanner’s development has been fantastic,” Webster said.
“His debut against the Dolphins was so impressive for such a young forward. He is taking everything in, learning from our leaders like Mitch (Mitchell Barnett) and Fish (James Fisher-Harris) and doing all he can to become a better player.
“It shows how well our development system is working that we have Tanner and this group of players coming through at the same time while knowing there are more behind them.”
English international Dom Young will return to Newcastle until at least the end of the 2027 season after being given an immediate release by Sydney Roosters.
system is working that we have Tanner and this group of players coming through at the same time while knowing there are more behind them.”
English international Dom Young will return to Newcastle until at least the end of the 2027 season after being given an immediate release by Sydney Roosters.
Young played 31 NRL matches for the Roosters after two seasons at the Knights in 2022 and 2023 and played his farewell match for the club against his new team-mates last Saturday.
The star winger has signed with Newcastle until the end of the 2027 season.
Teenage sensation Fletcher Hunt will also be at the Knights until at least the end of 2027 after signing a contract extension.
The 19-year-old made his NRL debut in Round 11 against the Eels and has averaged 119 run metres per game across his four matches.
The new deal includes immediate elevation to a NRL development contract for 2025 and 2026, along with promotion to the club’s Top 30 in 2027.
“Fletcher’s hard work and competitive nature has earned the respect of his teammates and staff, this contract upgrade and extension is a fitting reward,” said nib Knights head of recruitment Peter O’Sullivan.
The Titans, meanwhile, have re-signed outside back Jojo Fifita to a two-year contract extension through to the end of the 2027 season.
Fifita made his NRL debut in Round 18 of the 2022 season and has racked up 49 games for the Titans, scoring 22 tries.
“This means a lot to me,” the 22-year-old said. “This club has given me a lot of opportunities to grow as a player both on and off the field.
“I’m really excited to see what the next chapter has to offer.”
Dragons hooker Jacob Liddle has extended his stay with the club after signing a new three-year deal.
The contract extension will keep the 28-year-old in the Red V until at least the end of the 2028 season.
Liddle joined the Dragons ahead of the 2023 season and has since played 56 of a possible 60 games, with 14 tries.
“Jacob has become a really important player for us since joining the club and his form this year has been outstanding,” said Dragons Head Coach Shane Flanagan.
“His role has changed a bit this year and he’s been able to transform that into some really dynamic performances coming off the interchange.
“He’s a consistent and reliable player for us whether starting or off the bench and we’re extremely happy to be able to extend his time at the club by another three years.”
Former Panther Taylan May has signed a train and trial contract with the Wests Tigers that paves the way for his return to the NRL.
The outside back left Penrith last year due to an off-field issue however he has now been cleared to commence training with the Tigers after charges were dropped by police earlier this year.
May will begin training immediately and will become available for selection should training and off-field standards be met. The deal runs through to the end of this season.
Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson said May has grown considerably off the field and earned a second chance as a player.
“Clearly, Taylan is a quality player who will further strengthen our squad in the back end of the competition,” Richardson said. “But we also believe his best chance of success on and off the field is if he is around family and friends.
“He will now have the chance to not only return to a team environment but also to play alongside his brother Terrell – which is important to him.”
The deal comes on the back of last week’s recruitment of Newcastle forward Kai Pearce-Paul on a three-year deal.
The English international will join the club next season on a contract that runs to the end of 2028.
Pearce-Paul has emerged as a powerful edge forward since moving from Wigan to Newcastle at the start of last season and he will provide added firepower up front for the Tigers.
“Kai is a powerful, mobile forward who really suits what we’re building here,” coach Benji Marshall said.
“He’s not only a great athlete but also a great person, and he’ll bring strong qualities to our team.
“I’m really looking forward to coaching him and seeing the impact he’ll have on our squad.”
