Quick Read
- Keaon Koloamatangi will join St. George Illawarra Dragons in 2027 on a $5 million, five-year deal.
- South Sydney Rabbitohs tried to retain him with a lucrative extension, but Dragons’ offer won out.
- His signing is considered the biggest of Shane Flanagan’s coaching tenure at Dragons.
Keaon Koloamatangi’s name has been echoing through rugby league circles for months, but on Boxing Day 2025, the speculation finally crystallized: the star back-rower from South Sydney Rabbitohs is set to don the red and white of St. George Illawarra Dragons from 2027. His move, reportedly locked in via a five-year, $5 million contract, marks one of the most significant signings in recent NRL history (Economic Times, Sydney Morning Herald, Sporting News, Fox Sports, Nine.com.au).
For Rabbitohs fans, this is more than just a transfer—it’s the end of an era. Koloamatangi has been a cornerstone of South Sydney’s pack, renowned for his physicality, relentless work rate, and ability to break through defensive lines. His versatility allowed him to excel both as an edge and middle forward, earning him a place among the most sought-after players in the league. During the tense contract negotiations, South Sydney reportedly put forward a four-year extension worth around $1 million per season, desperate to keep their representative forward. They even considered moving him to prop, hoping his adaptability might tip the scales in their favor (Sporting News, Fox Sports).
But the allure of the Dragons—and perhaps the promise of a fresh chapter—proved irresistible. St. George Illawarra’s coach Shane Flanagan was determined to secure a marquee signing, having previously brought in established stars like Clint Gutherson, Damien Cook, and Valentine Holmes. Yet all those names are now in the twilight of their careers, and Koloamatangi represents a new beginning. The club’s aggressive pursuit reportedly included a helicopter ride from Sydney to Wollongong, a move that turned heads and drew both praise and skepticism. NRL legend Nathan Hindmarsh questioned the extravagance, asking, “Is it on the salary cap?” Still, he admitted, “I would pay this bloke on his current form. He’s in the top five middle players at the moment” (Fox Sports).
The transfer saga wasn’t short on drama. Parramatta Eels entered the race with a seven-figure offer, hoping to outbid the Dragons. Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs faced the looming threat of a depleted forward rotation, having already lost Davvy Moale and Shaq Mitchell. Koloamatangi’s departure could leave their middle pack alarmingly thin beyond 2027. A mandatory 10-day ‘cooling-off period’ gives South Sydney one last chance to change his mind, but multiple sources suggest his decision is all but final (Nine.com.au).
For the Dragons, Koloamatangi’s signing is a coup. Since Flanagan took over in 2023, the club has struggled to attract a headline act. The arrival of Koloamatangi not only boosts their forward pack but also signals a strategic shift: they’re not just plugging holes—they’re building for the future. His ability to play both prop and second row offers flexibility, and his reputation as a hard-hitting, tireless performer is precisely what the team has been missing.
South Sydney, on the other hand, faces a crossroads. The club narrowly avoided the wooden spoon in 2025, and with several stars—including Latrell Mitchell, Campbell Graham, Jack Wighton, David Fifita, and Jai Arrow—also off contract at the end of 2027, the pressure to rebuild is mounting. Losing a homegrown talent like Koloamatangi, who has only ever played for the Rabbitohs, is a symbolic blow as much as a tactical one.
This saga is more than numbers and negotiations—it’s about ambition, loyalty, and the shifting landscape of the NRL. Koloamatangi’s choice signals not just a personal leap but a recalibration of team identities. The Dragons, long starved of headline talent, now have a forward to build around. The Rabbitohs, facing an uncertain future, must decide how to reinvent themselves in the wake of a high-profile loss.
When a club goes to the lengths of helicopter rides and multi-million dollar bids, it’s clear they’re not just chasing a player—they’re chasing transformation. Koloamatangi’s move to the Dragons is a statement about the power of belief, ambition, and the lengths clubs will go to shape their destiny. The ripples from this deal will be felt for seasons to come, on the field and beyond.