Five Super League forwards who could be on NRL radar amid claim

Recent reports have suggested one NRL club will target Super League to strengthen their pack and we’ve looked at who could be targeted.

According to The League Scene Pod, the Dolphins are ‘looking to England to bulk up their forward pack’ given that some of their key players have either retired or are approaching that stage of their career.

Jesse Bromwich has called time on his career whilst brother Kenny and other veteran forward Mark Nicholls will turn 34 and 35 during the 2025 season.

The Dolphins are coached by former St Helens boss Kristian Woolf, a man all too familiar with Super League after guiding the Red Vee to three consecutive titles in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

He’s since returned Down Under to work with Wayne Bennett at the NRL’s 17th side but with Bennett moving back to South Sydney Rabbitohs, Woolf will become head coach.

The ex-Saints boss may well put a Super League spin on his squad as he rebuilds with League Scene Pod claiming that he is ‘looking at several high profile Super League props’.

We’ve looked at some of the off-contract forwards who could well be on Woolf’s radar for 2026.

Getting some word from the UK that the Dolphins are looking to England to bulk up their forward pack.

With Jesse Bromwich retiring and Kenny Bromwich and Mark Nicholls approaching the end of their careers.

Kristian Woolf is looking at several high profile Super League props.

— The League Scene (@LeagueScenePod) December 10, 2024

Five Super League forwards who could be on NRL radar amid claim

Tevita Pangai Junior

This one is somewhat of an obvious one in the sense that it was a massive coup for Super League when Pangai Junior signed. The powerhouse forward is in the prime of his career at just 28 and already has represented New South Wales.

He’s on a one-year deal with Catalans having joined from – you guessed it – the Dolphins. When he inevitably returns Down Under, a move back to the Dolphins would make sense, however, there will be plenty of fighting for his signature.

Matty Lees

Lees is the player on this list with somewhat of an asterisk surrounding his contract given that the England prop has an option for the 2026 season. He’ll turn 27 just before the Super League season starts and, as a now-established England international and a Dream Team prop, is in the peak years of his career. Having previously worked under Woolf, he could be a candidate for an NRL switch. He’s certainly got the talent.

Morgan Knowles

Knowles is another player who has played under Woolf at St Helens. The loose forward is in his testimonial year but has only just turned 28. With over 200 games for Saints it could be time for a decision on whether he wants to be a one-club man or follow in the footsteps of the likes of James Graham who made an NRL switch at a similar time in his career.

Zane Musgrove

The Warrington Wolves man already has NRL pedigree and just one year left on his Super League contract. He’ll turn 29 this year so he could definitely have another crack at the NRL and serves a reported position of need for the Dolphins particularly.

Mikolaj Oledzki

This one is a bit of a wildcard but there is certainly an elite player in Mik Oledzki, we just haven’t necessarily seen him consistently for a couple of years. We’re two seasons removed from the 2022 campaign that saw him earn Dream Team honours and an England call-up for the World Cup. Perhaps with a full pre-season under Brad Arthur, the Rhinos prop can re-find that form and catch NRL eyes.