Tonga international set to play for Super League club in 2024 after controversial u-turn

One of the biggest transfer sagas of 2023 has revolved around the back and forth pertaining to the future of Siousiua Taukeiaho.

The Tongan international and World Cup star finally made the move to Super League after last year’s World Cup to join Catalans Dragons in Super League for the 2023 campaign and beyond. This came after literal years of speculation with the wheels set in motion in 2021.

However, his time in Super League would not go according to plan with injuries derailing any momentum he built up through the season. Then rumours began to swirl about a return to the NRL and the club would later release what was a slightly strange statement.

At first, it seemed that the club were releasing him from his contract with the prop wanting to return to Australia for family reasons. However, the statement would go on to say that they would be willing to negotiate with a new club over his departure suggesting that his release would be subject to a transfer fee.

This was somewhat forgotten about as the rumours started linking the prop with a two year contract at Canterbury Bulldogs likely as a replacement for Wigan Warriors bound Luke Thompson. But then reports down under claimed that Taukeiaho hadn’t been released by the Dragons who were blamed widely even though Canterbury couldn’t physically sign the prop due to the fact their top 30 spots were already taken.

Then the transfer completely broke down when he failed his medical with the club realising he would require surgery and would miss the start of the season. This left his future up in the air and it now seems he will complete a dramatic u-turn and play for the Dragons having appeared at the club’s training sessions this winter according to Catalan Media.

This could mean he is likely to stay at the club but that could create a problem for the French side who have one quota spot left which was likely to be used on a halfback. If he stays, that spot will be taken and will leave Steve McNamara with a conundrum to solve.