Details emerge how Catalans Dragons intend to replace sacked Super League stars

Catalans Dragons head coach Steve McNamara has revealed that the Super League side are looking to replace the three players sacked for a breach of contract last week.

“Following a disciplinary process, the Catalans Dragons have decided to terminate the contracts of three of their Players with immediate effect. The players concerned are Siua Taukeiaho, Jayden Nikorima and Damel Diakhate.

“All Players were involved in an incident deemed to be highly unacceptable by the Club and contrary to the Club’s values.”

It has now been reported that the reason may have been that they attended a concert instead of going to training.

Siua Taukeiaho was due to be off-contract at the end of the season and has long been linked with a move to Canterbury Bulldogs, however, both Jayden Nikorima and Damel Diakhate were recruited ahead of the 2024 season but have had their contracts cut short following this incident.

This means there are two free quota spots for the Dragons now – while Manu Ma’u and Matt Ikuvalu are off-contract at the end of this season.

Super League Quiz: How many of these former players can you name?

McNamara reveals Catalans Dragons intent to replace sacked Super League stars

Asked about the incident, after the Dragons defeated Salford Red Devils in Perpignan, McNamara said: “We’ve got the opportunity to replace players in terms of salary cap and quota spaces but it’s complicated in terms of who is available and the business we have already done for next year.

“We set certain standards at this organisation which we are really proud of. If you fail to adhere to them there is a punishment. I don’t like it, I don’t like the whole situation but it happened and we had to deal with it.”

Therefore, the side could make further quota signings, even after securing the services of Luke Keary and Nick Cotric from NRL already.

As well as Ikuvalu, Matthieu Laguerre is off-contract at the end of the year, so the Dragons may look to make the most of the centres available in Super League, such as Ricky Leutele and Konrad Hurrell.