Over recent years there’s been a trend of rugby league players taking to the boxing ring, particularly down under where the likes of Sonny Bill Williams became New Zealand’s heavyweight champion, but now a current Super League star linked with an NRL return has claimed a desire to get into the ring is one of his main motivations.
It was reported yesterday by The Daily Telegraph that Catalans Dragons’ prop forward Sio Siua Taukeiaho was the subject of a huge $1 million contract offer from Canterbury Bulldogs.
The former Roosters NRL winner only moved to Perpignan at the start of the 2023 season alongside fellow Rooster Adam Keighran, the centre having already signed for Wigan Warriors for 2024.
With Taukeiaho now set to leave as well it seems Catalans will be losing two star players, and whilst the Telegraph’s initial report was merely speculation it has now been confirmed by the player himself.
“I’ve spoken with Catalans, I’ve let them know it’s my plan to come back to the NRL next year,” Taukeiaho told the Daily Telegraph.
“At the moment, I haven’t signed anything officially, but I’m coming back to the NRL.
“Wherever I end up, I believe I have a good two or three years left in me. I’ve won premierships at the Roosters and I think my experience can be helpful.
“I’ve had some talks with a couple of clubs, but nothing is officially signed yet.
“There’s no issues with Catalans. They have been great, we’re leading the Super League and I would love to finish here with a premiership, but I believe I’ve got more to offer in the NRL.”
There’s still potential that Taukeiaho could leave Super League with some silverware given the current form of Catalans, but it’s winning outside of rugby league that has prompted this desire to return to the NRL a year before his contract expires.
“There’s a couple of reasons I want to come home, I’ve been homesick over here and while I’ve really enjoyed my time with the boys and the club is great, I have missed my family. We’ve got three boys and we’ve missed the support networks.
“But I also want to pursue a career in boxing after NRL. There’s a void there that needs to be filled now that Paul Gallen has retired and I would like to fight Junior Paulo and one of us could become the next Paul Gallen.
“I would love to take that mantle as the next Paul Gallen in the ring.
“I’ve had some talks to fight Junior at the end of the year. I have great respect for Junior, he is a good boxer, but we can put Polynesian boys on the map with this fight and I believe with the right training, I can beat him.
“I’m really passionate about boxing. Rugby league is my focus at the moment and I’ll give 100 per cent to my new club in the NRL next season, but down the track I’d love to take boxing seriously after I retire from football.”
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