Rugby League Feb 09, 2026

Super League 2026: 10 intriguing signings to watch including Tyson Smoothy, Jackson Hastings, and more

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By Admin
Sports Journalist
Super League 2026: 10 intriguing signings to watch including Tyson Smoothy, Jackson Hastings, and more

With the 2026 Super League season just around the corner, Your Site' Megan Wellens picks out 10 big signings to keep a keen eye on...

Age: 26

Position: Back row

Former club: Gold Coast Titans

New club: Leigh Leopards

Papua New Guinea international Jacob Alick-Wiencke joins Leigh Leopards for three years and looks set to strengthen their pack as a direct replacement for Ethan O'Neill.

Adrian Lam says he has been watching the 6ft five forward for a long while and wants him to bring the "x-factor" to his outfit.

If he can be as destructive as his head coach hopes, then the big man will leave his mark.

Age: 26

Position: Hooker

Former club: Brisbane Broncos

New club: Wakefield Trinity

Tyson Smoothy joins Wakefield on a three-year deal off the back of an NRL Grand Final triumph with Brisbane Broncos, ending their 19-year drought, and looks to be a real pick up for Daryl Powell's side.

Smoothy only has 46 first team appearances to his name but is still relatively young and has been impressing in training, especially with his passing.

Now, with Wakefield he looks set to make the move from bench hooker to starting hooker and could really bolster them with his big game experience.

Age: 30

Position: Scrum-half, stand-off

Former club: Newcastle Knights

New club: St Helens

Anyone who has been watching Super League for a while will know the potential St Helens have got in Jackson Hastings.

Hastings won the Man of Steel award back in 2019 as he helped lead Salford all the way to the Grand Final and he will be hoping he can find that form once again as he fills the whole of experienced halfback that St Helens have been crying out for.

His kicking game will be key and partnered with Tristan Sailor, he is expected to play the supporting role of setting up those around him.

If he does it effectively, St Helens will look a completely different side.

Age: 23

Position: Scrum-half

Former club: South Sydney Rabbitohs

New club: Catalans Dragons

Talk about having a point to prove- I expect Lewis Dodd to try and prove his point for Catalans Dragons in 2026.

He had a really rough time off it in the NRL with his move to South Sydney, playing on just six occasions, and the former St Helens man will want to find the heights he did that saw him kick the golden point match-winning drop goal in the World Club Challenge against Penrith Panthers on their own turf back in 2023.

Catalans need leadership and with nearly 100 appearances to his name, this could be his moment to step up.

Age: 30

Position: Loose forward, hooker

Former club: Manly Sea Eagles

New club: Wakefield Trinity

Samoan international Jazz Tevaga is another astute signing for a Wakefield Trinity side that look to be really building. He has been a mainstay in the NRL for the last 10 years and will bring a whole heap of experience to the West Yorkshire side.

Once again, it will be a leader into the pack for Wakefield who they will hope is relentless for them not only in setting standards but delivering on them too.

Age: 22

Position: Prop

Former club: Wigan Warriors

New club: Hull FC

Hull FC paid big money to land young up-and-comer in Harvie Hill and if he delivers on the expectations many have for him in the game, then he will be part of a young group at the black and whites that are hoping to be something special in the future.

This move is about Hill stepping into being a consistently top performer week-in and week-out in Super League and many Hull FC fans are right to get excited about what he has to offer.

"As we all know, Wigan's Academy is one of the best out there, so to be picking up one of their young forwards is a real statement of intent from Hull FC, especially where our pack is concerned, and I'm thrilled that Harvie will be a part of our journey in 2026 and onwards," said Hull FC's Director of Rugby, Gareth Ellis.

Age: 26

Position: Prop

Former club: Wigan Warriors

New club: Warrington Wolves

Leadership and strong culture is what Warrington Wolves need and that is what they will be hoping they have got in Liam Byrne.

Byrne has made over 100 appearances for Wigan, won everything the competition has to offer, and those standards that were set at his former club will be what he will try and introduce at his new club.

The pack needs a leader and he will hope to lead it.

Age: 24

Position: Prop

Former club: Manly Sea Eagles

New club: Huddersfield Giants

Chris Patolo is only young but he is already making himself be counted at the Giants.

Patolo is in the Super League to make his mark and his head coach Luke Robinson has said that his efforts in pre-season have made everyone "stand up and take notice".

"Chris Patolo has everyone's eye," Robinson said. "He's not only big and uncompromising but has great leg speed and moves around the field really well.

"It's something we've lacked and he's really impressed me and everyone else."

Huddersfield need to improve in lots of key areas and it sounds like they are starting up front.

Age: 34

Position: Prop

Former club: Warrington Wolves

New club: York Knights

York Knights come into Super League lacking experience of the top flight and so they have tried to recruit those who know how to perform in this competition: Up steps Paul Vaughan.

Vaughan has always tried to pride himself on being a leader up front but he is going to have to do that and then some as York navigate this new stage of their history as a club.

In the tough moments, in the great moments, his voice is going to be listened to and he is going to be counted on.

Age: 27

Position: Loose forward

Former club: Catalans Dragons

New club: Wigan Warriors

The most intriguing return home for Ollie Partington! Partington's late swap with Kruise Leeming has raised eyebrows but it means that he returns home in an interesting role for Matt Peet's Warriors.

Brad O'Neill is Wigan's starting hooker, this move looks like they will put more trust in young Tom Forber and Partington will play a role that is key- they are light in the pack and he needs to make that up.

I am excited to see how this one plays out.

Your Site will again show every game of the Super League live this season - including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining five matches each week shown on

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