South Sydney has confirmed a raft of new player signings heading into the 2026 NRL season.
In addition to extending the current deals of impressive 2025 debutants Ashton Ward and Bayleigh Bentley-Hape, the Rabbitohs have signed 19-year-old kiwi Saumaki Saumaki on a two-year deal.
Known as a powerful ball runner and defender, Saumaki had been considered one of New Zealand’s top rugby union prospects and looms as a huge coup for the Bunnies as they look to surge back up the NRL ladder in 2026 and beyond.
A New Zealand U18 Schoolboy in 2024, Saumaki played first XV rugby at renowned Nelson College and was also a member of the U20 team for Super Rugby Pacific champions the Canterbury Crusaders in 2025.
MORE: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui bombshell: Titans captain makes November 1 decision
Rabbitohs Head of Recruitment and Retention, Mark Ellison, spoke glowingly of Saumaki on news of his signing.
“Saumaki has impressed us with not only his playing ability and his devastating running style, but with his willingness to put in the hard work to make a successful transition from rugby union to rugby league,” Ellison said.
“We believe he has what it takes to make that transition and we are very excited about working with him on his game with a view to playing in the NRL in South Sydney colours.”
‘They’re really lazy’, rugby union boss accuses NRL clubs after Saumaki defection
Saumaki’s signing isn’t without controversy, with Canterbury Crusaders boss Colin Mansbridge accusing NRL clubs such as the Rabbitohs of ‘lazy’ recruitment practices.
“They (NRL clubs) unashamedly target rugby union development systems because they think they are so good,” Mansbridge said.
“I think that other code does a very good job of relying on rugby union to be its development pathway. They don’t do any of it themselves.
“They’re really lazy in that area.”
Lazy or not, Rabbitohs fans have every reason to get excited because Saumaki could be one of the club’s best young forward prospects, especially under the guidance of arguably the game’s all-time greatest mentor, Wayne Bennett.