Rugby League: Catalans Dragons Forward Taukeiaho Seeks NRL Return Amid Homesickness
Sio Siua Taukeiaho, the influential forward for the [Catalans Dragons], is reportedly homesick and eager to make a return to the [NRL], a move that could potentially impact [Luke Keary’s] proposed switch to [Super League].
Taukeiaho, who has yet to feature in a single game for the Dragons this season due to injury, was previously subject to a complex chain of events at the end of the 2022 campaign. The club had announced in August that they would grant him a release at the conclusion of the 2023 season, but after playing in the [Super League Grand Final], his rumored NRL return never materialized, and he returned to honor the second year of his two-year contract with the French club.
“Taukeiaho is homesick and determined to push for an early exit from his Catalans deal.”
However, the [Wide World of Sports] now reports that Taukeiaho is homesick and determined to push for an early exit from his Catalans deal. While the club is reportedly reluctant to release him unless they can secure a suitable replacement, several [NRL teams] have expressed interest in the powerful forward.
Taukeiaho is close to making his long-awaited return to action after recovering from a foot problem that required off-season surgery. The player was previously linked with a move to the [Canterbury Bulldogs] for the 2024 season, but that deal ultimately fell through, leading to his continued stay in the south of France.
The [Roosters], who are set to lose [Luke Keary] at the end of the current campaign as he considers a lucrative offer from the [Catalans Dragons] that would see him reverse his impending retirement, are said to be one of the clubs interested in securing Taukeiaho’s services for the 2025 season, potentially reuniting him with the club he served for several years.
While Taukeiaho’s contract with the [Catalans Dragons] includes an option for a third year, it appears increasingly unlikely that this will be activated at this stage. The focus now seems to be on whether the powerful prop can successfully push for an early release from his current deal, should his reported homesickness prove to be a driving factor.
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