NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg Cup Pre-Season Squads Announced

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have announced their pre-season squads for the NSW Cup men’s and Jersey Flegg Cup under 21s men’s teams ahead of trial matches leading into round one of their respective competitions.

NSW Cup Squad Overview

The NSW Cup squad features a number of players with NRL and international experience, including:

• Ashton Ward (Rabbitohs 2025)
• Bayleigh Bentley-Hape (Rabbitohs 2024–25)
• Matt Dufty (Dragons 2017–21; Bulldogs 2022; Warrington 2022–25)
• Tim Johannssen (Tigers 2024)
• John Radel (Cowboys 2024–25)
• Daniel Keir (Eels 2023–25)
• Franklin Pele (Sharks 2021; Bulldogs 2023; Hull FC 2024)
• William Afualo (Bulldogs 2024–25)
• Tayson Fakaosi (Roosters 2024)
• Yehya Ayache (Lebanon 2025)
• James Valevatu (Fiji 2024)
• Damian Nati (Italy 2023–24)
• Sunita Palu Lotoaniu (Panthers 2023)

A-Grade Portability & Club Affiliations

The Rabbitohs will continue their A-grade portability program in conjunction with Souths Juniors in 2026. This program allows players registered with Souths Juniors clubs to train and potentially play in the NSW Cup competition with South Sydney throughout the 2026 season.

The Rabbitohs have also affiliated with Blacktown Workers, allowing players contracted to Blacktown Workers the opportunity to train and potentially play in the NSW Cup competition with the Rabbitohs during 2026.

Players contracted to the Rabbitohs who are not selected in the NSW Cup team will have the opportunity to play in the Ron Massey Cup with Blacktown Workers or for their affiliated Souths Juniors A-grade team.

NSW Cup Pre-Season Squad

• William AFUALO
• Josh ALHAZIM
• Yehya AYACHE
• Bayleigh BENTLEY-HAPE
• Logan DICKSON
• Matt DUFTY
• Tayson FAKAOSI
• Nathaniel GALLO
• Siotame Fili-Moe-Ulie HANSEN
• Tangirere Pita HOKAI (Blacktown Workers)
• Tim JOHANNSSEN
• Daniel KEIR
• Cody KELSO (Coogee Dolphins)
• Kayde KING (La Perouse)
• Jay KIRK
• Oliver LAWRY
• Sunita Palu LOTOANIU (Blacktown Workers)
• Harrison MARSH (Coogee-Randwick Wombats)
• Jordi MAZZONE
• Damian NATI (Blacktown Workers)
• Franklin PELE
• Hayden POMARE (Mascot)
• John RADEL
• Billy SPRAGUE
• Epeli Drega SUKANAIVALU (Blacktown Workers)
• Charlie THOMPSON
• Dane TOWNS
• James VALEVATU (Blacktown Workers)
• Lajuan VITO
• Te Wehi WAITERE
• Ashton WARD
• Dean WIDDERS (Redfern All Blacks)
• Ben WILLIAMSON

Jersey Flegg Cup (Under 21s) Overview

The Jersey Flegg Cup under 21s men’s squad features a number of returning players entering their second season at the under 21s level, as well as players graduating from the 2025 SG Ball Cup under 19s men’s team, which progressed to the preliminary finals last season.

Jersey Flegg Cup Under 21s Pre-Season Squad

• Corbin ALVAREZ
• Chaice BAILEY
• Tylan BERRYMAN
• James BORGES
• Levi DOWLING
• Jamayne FEAST
• Tavis FELSCH
• Jacob FONG
• Ben GEARY
• Samuel GRIFFIN
• Jack HANCOCK
• Mateus HESLIN
• Karlos IRAIA
• Yasin KUSCU
• Assariah LENOY
• Albert LITISONI
• Daniel LUA
• Brody MALCOLM
• Kaearangi MATHEWS
• Harvee MILLER
• Charlie POYNTON
• Harrison ROOKE
• Caelis SAMUEL
• Saumaki SAUMAKI
• Jaffahl SKILLINGTON
• Tylah SLATE
• Hadley SMITH
• Tahi SUE
• Connor TANDBERG
• Zeke TAUSILI
• Sam TAYLOR
• Devonte VAOTU’UA
• Noah WALDOCK
• Te Paeroa WI NEERA
• Jayden WOLFE
• Daniel WRIGHT