The Dolphins

This arrangement is part of a strategic partnership between the SP PNG Hunters and the Dolphins NRL club which aims to get more local players from Papua New Guinea into the NRL competition.

The four Hunters players, Judah Rimbu, Rodrick Tai, Sherwin Tanabi and Emmanuel Waine, began training with the Wayne Bennett-coached Dolphins this week and will be working towards earning a fulltime NRL contract over the next eight weeks of preseason.

Emmanuel Waine, Rodrick Tai, Sherwin Tanabi and Judah Rimbu have been called up to the Wayne Bennett-coached side for train and trial deals in 2023.

They join fellow Papua New Guinean and Kumul player, Jeremiah Simbiken in the squad.

This is through a strategic pathway signed between the PNG Hunters and the NRL Dolphins in 2022.

Of those four players, two will be selected by the Dolphins to stay on and train with their NRL squad for the remainder of the season.

This agreement will provide a genuine pathway for Papua New Guinean rugby league players beginning in the Digicel Cup competition, through to the Hunters and right into an NRL system.

The partnership is in alignment with the Hunters’ strategic plan to develop more Papua New Guinean players into the NRL competition by 2025.

Under the agreement, four Hunters’ players will attend a full pre-season with the Dolphins NRL squad, starting in 2023.

It now opens the door for Ponga to link up with the Dolphins after being sprung meeting with coach Wayne Bennett earlier this month.

News Corp reports Ponga and the Knights had agreed to a five-year deal, however it was pulled by the club on Friday.

Melbourne have kicked-off negotiations with Maroons duo Cameron Munster and Harry Grant, and premiership-winning halfback Jahrome Hughes.

Hughes’ management will arrive in Melbourne on Thursday to advance discussions on a club record six-year $5 million extension, according to News Corp.

Cherry-Evans is already contracted until the end of the 2023 season, but The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read reported that he is in talks about a one-year extension.

That would blow any plans Cherry-Evans’ junior club the Dolphins have to bring him home out of the water.

“The Dolphins have injected an outstanding young playmaker into their squad for their entry to 2023 NRL premiership,” the Dolphins released in a statement.

Touted as a star half of the future, Isaiya Katoa has been lured from the NRL’s reigning premiers, the Panthers.

On the day of his 18th birthday, Katoa has joined the Queensland-based Dolphins on a three-year deal.

In addition, the Dolphins will bypass the development contract stage with Katoa and fast-track him into the club’s top 30 when pre-season training begins in November.

Meanwhile the Cowboys have staved off the Knights to re-sign a young gun back-rower.

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Gold Coast forward Jarrod Wallace is reportedly set for a reunion with Wayne Bennett at the Dolphins in 2023.

Ponga has one of the more intricate contracts in the NRL. The 23-year-old is signed to the Knights until the end of 2024 but he has an option in his favour for the final two seasons — and doesn’t have a decision deadline looming.

The Dolphins have held talks with Ponga, while he has previously shared his interest in playing for the All Blacks.

Milford was meant to be a Rabbitoh this year after signing a one-year deal, however that contract wasn’t registered after assault allegations emerged.

The 27-year-old is reportedly due to face court in mid-February, casting doubt over whether he will feature for South Sydney — or any team at all — this year.

However, Triple M’s Ben Dobbin has reported Milford’s relationship with the Rabbitohs “is done” and instead he will sign with the Knights for the 2022 season.