NRL hooker on Super League recruitment radars with quota changes imminent…
Here’s what’s brewing on the hooker front and what the upcoming quota tweaks mean for Super League recruitment:
Soni Luke (Penrith Panthers)
– 29‑year‑old, Tonga international, 25 NRL appearances.
0-2– Off-contract end of 2025 and reportedly actively exploring Super League opportunities .
375-0– He was a regular in Penrith’s 2023 premiership lineup but has struggled for game time in 2024–25, playing mostly NSW Cup .
534-0Other notable NRL hookers offered for 2026 include Siliva Havili, Chad Townsend, Fletcher Baker, and Josh Papali’i, although some are in forward roles rather than hooker .
An unnamed Super League hooker has reportedly declined NRL interest ahead of 2026. Leading candidates include:
742-1Edwin Ipape (Leigh Leopards) – PNG international in final contract year and previously courted by NRL sides .
1067-0Zac Woolford and Tom Deakin (Huddersfield), and Moses Mbye (St Helens) are also in the mix, but Ipape is the most prominent .
This indicates Super League now has retention strength to hold off NRL advances.
1239-1Starting 2026, any overseas player who completes six consecutive Super League seasons will no longer count towards clubs’ 7-player overseas quota .
1564-0This change opens up permanent recruitment flexibility, especially for clubs like Hull KR and Wigan, who have multiple long-serving overseas players .
It also supports retention — players like Edwin Ipape, if they see improved quota space, may be more inclined to stay.
Clubs are repositioning now, knowing these exemptions will come into force from 2026. The timing aligns directly with when NRL negotiations begin for players off contract at end of 2025/2026.
Soni Luke Off-contract 2025; Super League interest rising Could be a primary NRL-to-SL hooker transfer in 2026
Edwin Ipape Staying put; rejected NRL offers Leverage: six-year quota exemption from 2026
Super League clubs Preparing rosters for new quota window Can safely recruit abroad knowing exemptions await
NRL clubs Monitoring SL talent, especially hookers Competition for hookers intensifying due to rule shift
Clubs start formal negotiations with off-contract talent from December 2024, making early moves likely.
The six-year exemption rule could reshape recruitment strategy, enabling richer overseas infusion without quota strain.
Keep an eye on whether Soni Luke secures a Super League deal and if Ipape signs a new extension, locking him in before the NRL resurfaces interest.
Let me know if you’d like deeper insight into a specific player, club strategies, or how these changes might affect your favourite SL side!
