Two former Super League outside backs have landed new clubs back down under after returning home, with former Leeds Rhinos man Ethan Clark-Wood playing in the Queensland Cup.
The Queensland, or Hostplus, Cup is the highest level below the NRL in the state of Queensland and Clark-Wood, who had a one-year spell at Headingley in 2025, has recently signed for Ipswich Jets.
Clark-Wood was signed by the Rhinos in February 2025, just a couple of weeks after their star signing Maika Sivo had suffered a season-ending injury in the pre-season game against Wigan Warriors.
Ultimately, Clark-Wood would play just one senior game for the Rhinos with most of his time spent in the reserves and that led to Leeds not re-upping his contract. Whilst the 25-year-old returned to Australia, it’s only recently that he has signed a deal with the Jets, first playing in round seven of the competition before playing again today in a 38-24 loss to Western Clydesdale.
Playing at centre, Clark-Wood made 100 metres on just nine carries playing in a team that features Max Feagai, the younger brother of 2027 Castleford Tigets signing Mat, and Greek international Lachlan Ilias who was previously been linked to Super League.
Ex-Super League flyer returns to boyhood club
The other former Super League man to have recently signed a deal down under is Jorge Taufua, formerly of Wakefield Trinity and Bradford Bulls, before then taking up rugby union at the expiration of his contract with the Bulls.
Now 34, Taufua has returned to Wentworthville Magpies, the club he came through out before going on to play 161 games for Manly Sea Eagles in the NRL.
The Magpies play in the Ron Massey Cup, which is a level below the Queensland Cup and crucially is played in New South Wales instead.
Taufua made his return for the club last weekend in a 28-22 loss but he scored his first try since returning this weekend in a 32-24 victory.
Announcing his return recently on social media, the Magpies said: “Guess who’s back in the Black and White. We are thrilled to announce the signing of Wenty junior, Jorge Taufua, who will join our Ron Massey Cup squad for the remainder of the year.
“Having played 194 first grade games in the NRL and Super League – representing Tonga and Samoa along the way – Jorge is returning to where it all began.”
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