Keaon Koloamatangi in huge signing boost for Souths after embarrassing end to season
The Souths forward is set to pen a multi-year extension despite interest from rival clubs.
Powerhouse backrower Keaon Koloamatangi is set to sign a multi-year extension with South Sydney after a breakout season at the club. Koloamatangi is expected to join teammates Campbell Graham, Latrell Mitchell and Cam Murray in penning long-term extensions with the Rabbitohs, with the reported deal keeping him at Redfern until the end of 2027.
Rival NRL clubs were reportedly sniffing around for the talented backrower, yet the 25-year-old has ultimately decided to stay put. Souths were desperate to lock up his services prior to November 1 when he could hit the free agency market. St George Illawarra Dragons and Canberra Raiders were among the clubs rumoured to be weighing up big money offers for the star second-rower to convince him to switch away from Redfern at the end of 2024.
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In an interview earlier this week, however, Koloamatangi made it clear that he wished to remain with the Rabbitohs. “I obviously haven’t spoken to anyone, at this stage I’m not allowed to speak to anyone until November 1,” he told The Daily Telegraph. “Hopefully we can sort something out with the Rabbitohs, but if not, it is what it is. We’ll see how things go when I’m back.”
Koloamatangi made his Blues debut this year on the back of a solid campaign. He will fly to the UK this week to represent Tonga in a three-match test series against England.
Souths look to bounce back after dismal end to 2023
Rabbitohs became the first club in the NRL era to miss the finals after leading the competition as late as round 11 and are looking to make amends in 2024. They have secured the services of experienced playmaker Jack Wighton from the Raiders and are reportedly in talks to sign Sean Keppie from Manly.
At the start of the month, Souths extended coach Jason Demetriou's contract to the end of 2026. They have also found a replacement for Sam Burgess, who left the club after reportedly failing to fall into line with the standards set by Demetriou. He notably expressed concerns about the 'soft' treatment given to star players Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker.
Mitchell's form in 2023 was not up to his usual high standard and there has been suggestions he may be shifted to centres in 2024 to make way for new recruit Wighton at the back. The NRL 360 panel previously labelled a switch to the centres for Mitchell as a “band aid” solution that wouldn't address their “deep seeded” problems.
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