Recent reports have linked St Helens superstar Lewis Dodd to a move away from Super League, with South Sydney Rabbitohs likely being his destination for the 2025 season.
This news is expected to be confirmed in the coming days or weeks, and as a result, Souths half-back Lachlan Ilias could be out of a starting role.
It’s also being reported that Ilias has been told he’s free to enter negotiations with other clubs, meaning Super League teams could look to him as a potential signing.
His manager is actively looking to other clubs, and his contract is up at the end of the year, but which Super League three sides could capitalise on that?
Super League landing spots for exiled NRL half
Catalans Dragons
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Cesar Rougé is out of contract at the end of the year, having signed a two-year deal in 2022, and the talented 21-year-old could be a major target for other clubs in Super League and even NRL, joining teammates Tom Davies, Mike McMeeken and Tom Johnstone, amongst others, who will reportedly be part of a mass exodus from the club.
Jordan Abdull, on a season-long loan from Hull KR, will also have his deal expiring at the end of the season, although it seems likely that his time in Perpignan could become permanent at the end of the year.
There could, therefore, be a half-back spot in their squad next year, and it seems unlikely that young Ugo Tison will be ready to play a major role in the 2025 season.
They’re a big club, and even if their financial woes turn out to be as bad as is feared, they should be more than capable of convincing Ilias to move to Catalonia.
Wakefield Trinity
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Trinity are a club that expects to be in Super League next season and will be making all the necessary arrangements to be able to compete in 2025.
They are already putting significant funds into the stadium, with Belle Vue finally being brought up to scratch now that IMG is doing their thing, and they’ve already, reportedly made some huge signings ahead of next year.
The aforementioned Tom Johnstone and Mike McMeeken have both reportedly agreed to join from Catalans Dragons next season, showing that Wakefield are capable of luring some of the league’s biggest names to West Yorkshire.
They clearly have huge ambition, and what would show more ambition than looking to sign one of NRL’s best half-back prospects?
The current pairing in the halves of Luke Gale and Mason Lino is very strong in the Championship, but they’ll surely be looking to upgrade ahead of a season in Super League: enter Lachlan Ilias.
Castleford Tigers
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It looks like the Tigers will be losing a half-back soon, with head coach Craig Lingard saying Danny Richardson is free to leave the club.
With suggestions that Castleford will have funds for ‘marquee’ signings next year, and the fact that Rowan Milnes and Jacob Miller have struggled to perform means they’ll likely look for a new playmaker for 2025.
While the club don’t necessarily have the pulling power of some others, Souths being rock bottom of NRL this year could make other sides less likely to take the plunge and make the signing – potentially freeing up a space for the Tigers to swoop in.
It also makes plenty of sense from the club’s side: they need a half-back and have already shown that they’re keen to sign young players with plenty of talent, even if there’s an element of risk there.
It may be tricky for them to secure, but they’d be crazy not to try.
