Rabbitohs sign and extend contracts of seven young guns

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are delighted to announce the signings and contract extensions of seven young stars for future seasons today.

Ashton Ward has extended his contract with South Sydney until the end of the 2026 season, alongside fellow 2025 NRL debutant Bayleigh Bentley-Hape. Middle forward, Tim Johannssen, has also extended his contract for a further season. Australian Schoolboys representative Dayne Jennings has extended his contract for a further season in 2028, and young fullback Charlie Poynton has signed on for season 2026.

South Sydney has signed outstanding young New Zealand outside back Dean Tauaa for 2026, having also agreed to terms on an extended NRL contract out until the end of the 2029 season. The Rabbitohs have also signed one of New Zealand’s top young rugby union prospects in Saumaki Saumaki for the next two years.

Ward, 21, made his NRL debut against the Sharks in round 21 this year, going on to play six NRL games in his debut season. Ward made quite the impression in the NRL at the back end of the 2025 season, having originally signed with the Club to play at the Jersey Flegg Cup under 21s level. Ward won the Rabbitohs’ NSW Cup Player of the Year award in 2025 and has been re-signed on an NSWRL contract for 2026.

Bentley-Hape, 25, made his NRL debut in round two against the Dragons in 2025, playing nine games throughout the season. Bayleigh won the Club’s NSW Cup Best Back award in 2024, and his consistently strong performances at this level were rewarded with NRL selection in 2025. Bentley-Hape has also been retained on an NSWRL contract for 2026.

Johannssen, 23, was awarded the Rabbitohs’ NSW Cup Players’ Players award for 2025, playing at a consistently high level in the middle of the field at either prop or lock throughout the season. Johannssen made his NRL debut in 2024 with the Tigers before joining South Sydney, and has re-signed for a further year on a NSWRL contract.

Jennings, 17, starred for the Australian Schoolboys in their recent match against the Papua New Guinea Junior Kumuls, scoring a long-range try to help the Australians to a solid victory. Jennings originally re-signed with South Sydney on a NSWRL contract in 2026 and an NRL Supplementary contract in 2027, but his extended contract will see him move onto an NRL Top 30 contract in 2028.

Poynton, 19, was one of the leading players for the Rabbitohs in their SG Ball Cup under 19s and Jersey Flegg Cup under 21s teams in 2025, playing predominantly at fullback. Poynton has extended his tenure with South Sydney for 2026 on an NSWRL contract.

Tauaa, 17, was a standout performer in the QRL’s Mal Meninga Cup competition with the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls this year, progressing through to represent the Brisbane Broncos in the NRLQ under 20s competition in 2025. Described as a naturally-gifted, big, powerful, explosive, hard running centre, Tauaa was named in the team of the year in the Langer Trophy NRL Schoolboys competition in 2025, playing for Mabel Park State High School. In 2024, Tauaa represented the New Zealand Toa under 17s team against the New Zealand Tū under 17s team, squads that were selected from New Zealand players based in Australia that were part of the NZRL’s Taurehere program. Tauaa was joined by two future Rabbitohs teammates in these squads in middle forwards Maddax Fui and Phillip Lavakeiaho. Tauaa has signed with the Rabbitohs on an NSWRL contract in 2026 before progressing to an NRL supplementary contract in 2027 and an NRL Top 30 contract in 2028 and 2029.

Saumaki, 19, is a powerful runner and defender that played flanker and number eight in the first XV at Nelson College in New Zealand, a renowned rugby union academy. Saumaki played for the Canterbury Crusaders’ under 20s team in 2025, as well as representing the New Zealand under 18s Schoolboys in the same year. Saumaki will make the transition to Rugby League with the Rabbitohs having signed an NSWRL contract for the next two years.

Rabbitohs Head of Recruitment and Retention, Mark Ellison, says these young players will add depth to the Rabbitohs’ ranks.

“We are really excited to have signed or re-signed these seven players as they are all live prospects to play at the NRL level as early as 2026, if not in the future,” Mr Ellison said.

“Ashton joined us from the Dragons this year and we wanted to see how he would develop his game at the Jersey Flegg Cup and NSW Cup levels, but he has shown he can match it at the NRL level as well. He has earned his opportunity to play at the top level and his development will be all the better for the opportunities he has had to play first grade this year. He is eager to continue to learn and develop his game on both sides of the ball, and we look forward to continuing that work with him next season.

“Bayleigh also earned his shot at a berth in the NRL in 2025, and we were pleased to see him play plenty of NRL football last season. His attacking style and his goal kicking were both strong strings to his bow and we are very happy to see him extend his time here at South Sydney.

“Tim joined us last season having made an NRL debut at the Tigers and he went very close to earning a start in our NRL squad last season. He is a no-nonsense middle forward and we look forward to working with him throughout the year to help him play his best football.

“Dayne and Charlie excelled at every level they played in 2025 and we see them both having bright futures here at the Rabbitohs. They are electric footballers and if they can continue to impress with their willingness to work hard on their games, we see them playing NRL in the South Sydney colours one day in the not-too-distant future.

“We are excited to be bringing Dean and Saumaki to our Club. Dean has really set the QRL and Schoolboys competitions alight in recent seasons, he has put himself in the Rugby League spotlight, and he was selected in the New Zealand under 17s squad last year as a reward for his performances. He troubled opposition defensive lines all season last year with his pace, acceleration, agility and his will to win. With a positive attitude, willingness to work hard and an opportunity to develop an NRL work ethic, we believe Dean will become a long-standing NRL player and represent at the higher levels of the game.

“Similarly, 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. 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.”

Ashton Ward

Bayleigh Bentley-Hape

Tim Johannssen

Dayne Jennings

Charlie Poynton

Dean Tauaa

Saumaki Saumaki