Roosters blow as Rabbitohs wrecking ball Keaon Koloamatangi inks extension
The Rabbitohs have locked away gun back-rower Keaon Koloamatangi in their bid to win their first NRL title since 2014, tying down the NSW Blues enforcer for a further two years.
Koloamatangi was already contracted to South Sydney for 2024 but the Tongan international is now tied to the club until the end of 2026
Roosters blow as Rabbitohs wrecking ball Keaon Koloamatangi inks extenss
The Rabbitohs have locked away gun back-rower Keaon Koloamatangi in their bid to win their first NRL title since 2014, tying down the NSW Blues enforcer for a further two years.
Koloamatangi was already contracted to South Sydney for 2024 but the Tongan international is now tied to the club until the end of 2026.
The re-signing comes after 9News’ Danny Weidler reported in September that the Roosters were eyeing the wrecking ball, who was set to become a free agent on November 1 if he hadn’t re-committed to the Rabbitohs.
By Weidler’s reckoning, Koloamatangi could have commanded about $900,000 per year on the open market.
The 25-year-old made his State of Origin debut in game three of this year’s series and is now set to tour England for a three-Test series, in which he’ll add to his five appearances for Tonga.
“It means the world to me and my family to be re-signing with the Rabbitohs,” Koloamatangi said.
“We had a bit to think about going into November 1 and I wanted to get something done before then with the club.
“I’m grateful that everything has panned out. My family and I are happy and we think that Souths is the best place to be for our future.
“The Rabbitohs are always in the forefront of my mind and I want to win at least one comp here before I retire.”
South Sydney head of football Mark Ellison said Koloamatangi had become a crucial member of the NRL side’s forward pack since rising from the club’s junior ranks.
“Keaon has worked so hard to achieve what he has so far in the game and he is a great example of how hard work and persistence can pay off,” Ellison said.
“He’s risen through the ranks at South Sydney and broke through for a first-grade position in the COVID-affected year of 2020.
“He’s had ups and downs with injury through the early stages of his career but he has become a true professional and is now reaping the rewards on and off the field.
“He’s represented his country and state and the next thing on his list to achieve is a premiership with the Rabbitohs. He has the work ethic and the want to achieve this with his teammates and he will play a key role in any success we have as a club.”
Koloamatangi made his NRL debut against Melbourne in 2020 and now has 82 matches in the bank.
The Rabbitohs crashed horribly in 2023, becoming the first club since the introduction of the top-eight system to go from leading the ladder after round 11 to missing out on finals footy.
