Jack Harbidge takes a look at the five most influential transfers ahead of the 2025 Super League season.
5. Tevita Pangai Junior
Embed from Getty ImagesThe destructive forward could be influential for the Catalans Dragons if he is able to apply himself without distraction, having recently walked away from a $750,000 AUD Canterbury Bulldogs contract to have a jaunt at pro boxing, before switching back to rugby league and joining the Dolphins in the 2024 season.
He appeared to be back fully focussed on rugby league during his most recent stint at the Dolphins and, providing he can transfer that cross-continental, he should be a force in the league. If he even goes one further and finds his best form (akin to Sam Kasiano with the offloading style), he could be the most influential signing this season leading the line for the French outfit.
4. John Asiata
Embed from Getty ImagesJohn Asiata grew into a leadership role at his former club Leigh Leopards, where he was pivotal in them winning the 2023 Challenge Cup and reaching the 2024 Grand Final. He was the third Leigh captain to lift the Challenge Cup and will take all this Super League experience to Hull FC this season.
He will be able to give Airlie Birds a new dimension through the middle and teams up with fellow former NRL middles Ligi Sao and Herman Ese’Ese to challenge as one of the premier middles in the league. The trio will also be familiar with fellow new signing Jordan Rapana.
3. Tristan Sailor
Embed from Getty ImagesTristan Sailor had the misfortune of being stuck behind Reece Walsh and even Selwyn Cobbo through his time at Brisbane Broncos: but when he got his chance to get on the pitch in the NRL, he delivered with pace to burn and an entertaining style that should deliver an x-factor to the joint-second favourites St Helens in the same way that Ben Barba did.
In all likeliness, however, he will be doing it from a different position, having landed squad no.6 and is well positioned to do so having been under the tutelage of Lee Briers at the Brisbane Broncos. He is undoubtedly an exciting addition to the spine of Jack Welsby, Jonny Lomax, and Daryl Clark/Moses Mbye. While helping to fill the gap left by Lewis Dodd, he should bring a more open attacking element to the Super League and excitement that has been lacking on occasion recently.
2. Jordan Rapana
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Canberra Raiders veteran showed signs he was still at his best at the ripe age of 34 last season in the NRL, scoring six tries in 18 games from predominantly fullback and kicking at over 86% for the season when Jamal Fogarty was injured. A Cook Islands and New Zealand international, he brings a wealth of experience – in stark contrast to Logan Moy who ended last year as starting fullback – that is very hard to match.
His tenacity at the back and his competitive edge make him invaluable going into a Hull FC side who narrowly escaped relegation at the end of the 2024 season in which they conceded 30+ points 12 times. He should be integral in contributing to a positive turnaround this season and Hull FC fans will no doubt get a better return than the fairly disastrous recent NRL player signings of Jayden Okunbor and Franklin Pele.
1. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Embed from Getty ImagesThe feared enforcer is linking back up with best mate Shaun Kenny-Dowall at Hull KR (a 316 game NRL career). One of the most recognisable names in rugby league, he brings a big reputation with his wealth of experience and could be the leadership piece to push Hull KR to their first title since 1985.
His influence as a signing will not only be positive for Hull KR on the pitch, but also for Super League in general with his illustrious CV attracting more eyes to the league. More pertinently, he showed he hadn’t lost a step in his playing ability in his final season at the Sydney Roosters – starting 16 of the 18 games he was involved in.
