St Helens could reportedly be set to lose one of their shining talents in their academy with an NRL club ‘closing in’ on his signature.
That’s what has been reported by journalist Isaac Issa, who writes for ESPN in Australia, with Issa taking to social media to report that Chris Matagi, son of Suaia, could be the next Super League youngster to make the jump to the NRL.
According to Issa, Cronulla Sharks are ‘closing in on the signature’ of the highly-rated young prop, with Issa then reporting: “The young UK-based forward looks set to join the Sharks from next season.”
It would be a major move for the young man but it could well also correspond with his father, Suaia, hanging up the boots and possibly returning back down under.
Suaia Matagi first made the switch to Super League in 2018 and went on to play 50 games for each of Huddersfield Giants and Castleford Tigers, but he’s been at Doncaster in the Championship since 2024.
At 38, it’s clear that at some point father time will catch up with Matagi and it could be the case that he retires and returns down under with his family, including Chris, in tow.
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Who is St Helens’ Chris Matagi?
Chris Matagi took the step up from scholarship to the St Helens academy in late 2024 and he has been named in the Red Vee’s 21-man squad at times this year, including on the Good Friday derby, but he’s yet to make an appearance.
He has played for the senior team, albeit in a pre-season friendly that saw Paul Rowley utilise a squad made of predominantly of academy and reserve team players.
Last year, Matagi was named to the academy origin squads, representing Yorkshire despite playing for St Helens. That’s because he had started his rugby league career with Siddal, who have produced plenty of NRL talents including Canberra Raiders pair Morgan Smithies and Matty Nicholson.
Sources indicate the Cronulla Sharks are closing in on the signature of highly-rated St Helens R.F.C. Academy prospect Chris Matagi, son of former NRL player Suaia Matagi. 🦈
The young UK-based forward looks set to join the Sharks from next season.#NRL #CronullaSharks pic.twitter.com/0ryn3iVVRv
— Isaac Issa Journalist (@IsaacIssaRL) April 26, 2026
