Championship club London Broncos are set to benefit hugely from the NRL’s next franchise, Perth Bears, ahead of their inclusion in the Australian competition in 2027.
Following the success of The Dolphins’ inclusion over the past three seasons, the Australian game will see Perth added into the division in 12 months’ time, before the PNG Chiefs join in 2028.
Squads for those clubs can begin to be built from the off-season a year before they join, meaning that recruitment for the Bears is well underway. They are currently free to negotiate with any player that is out of contract at the end of next season, in the hope to add them to their initial squad the following year.
Reports from Australia have stated that the club, who will be coached by Australian legend Mal Meninga, are about to make their first two signings, with a pair of recently released NRL rookies set to join. However, there is a caveat to their moves, and if reports are to be believed, then London could immensely profit from the moves.
The Daily Telegraph are reporting that both former North Queensland Cowboys forward Marly Bitungane and ex-Canterbury Bulldogs man Luke Smith will be the Perth’s initial signings, however with the club not playing a competitive game for over a year, they are looking to send the players elsewhere for the upcoming season.
The Broncos, who are now led by ex-NRL boss Jason Demetriou, look to be that destination, with the club already playing host to stars from the Australian game, such as Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Siliva Havili.
London, who are looking to win the Championship this year after their Super League application was rejected, could be on the verge of bringing the pair in for the season, with both Bitungane and Smith out of contract for next season, meaning they would make the switch to England’s capital before they turn out for the Bears the following year.
The Darren Lockyer and Gary Hetherington-led club have already made a heap of signings, with Papua New Guinean international duo Finley Glare and Morea Morea the two latest arrivals ahead of 2026.
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