Taukeiaho set for Dragons

CATALANS Dragons are set to win the race to sign Siosiua Taukeiaho, according to reports in Australia.

Taukeiaho, the powerhouse

Tonga international, has been on the radar of Super League clubs for months, with Hull FC also thought to have been keeping tabs on the 29-year-old goal-kicking forward.

Rugby League Live reported back in September that a number of high-profile Super League clubs, including the Dragons and the

Black and Whites, were aware of Taukeiaho’s interest in making the move to Super League in 2023 and were ready to throw their hat in the ring.

However, it is the Dragons who look set to secure his services, with Fox Sports reporting that the deal is already agreed.

Ultimately, the Black and Whites’ successful capture of Kane Evans meant any deal for Taukeiaho became unrealistic, with Evans not only taking a quota spot but also considerable salary cap space too.

Manu Ma’u is off-contract at the end of next year and his potential departure would free up space for a significant signing next year, though Taukeiaho’s salary demands would push the club’s salary cap limits regardless, while the form shown by Ma’u make it highly probable that they will want to retain him beyond the end of next season.

Josh Reynolds is also off-contract though the club would almost certainly invest in a new half-back should he depart.

As such, the club’s plans will now lie elsewhere, while Catalans will begin the process of freeing up salary cap space for Taukeiaho’s arrival in 2023. They will need to clear plenty of space for his arrival having just signed Tyrone May, Dylan Napa and Mitchell Pearce.