The Canberra Raiders have extended the contract of Kaeo Weekes until the end of the 2027 season.

In his first season with the club, Weekes played 17 matches for the club, showing his versatility and skill in both the halves and at fullback.

“I want to thank the club for giving me the opportunity to come down to Canberra. It was a big step to move down here away from my partner and family to chase my dream, but I’m so grateful I came,” Weekes said.

“It’s been a really enjoyable first year for me, I love this club and what they’re building for the future and I’m looking forward to building on what I’ve started over the next few years.”

Elsewhere, the Rabbitohs have extended the contracts of prop Shaquai Mitchell and back-rower Ben Lovett until the end of the 2025 season.

Mitchell has played 20 NRL games since making his debut for the Rabbitohs against the Sea Eagles in 2022 and has also represented the Indigenous All Stars on three occasions.

“Shaq has worked incredibly hard to get to where he has in his career so far,” said Rabbitohs head of football Mark Ellison..

“He is very skilful for a big man and he will play an important role in our team over the coming seasons.”

Lovett, meanwhile, has played three NRL games since making his debut against Manly in Round 4 of the 2023 season.

This comes on the back of the Bunnies throwing a lifeline to former Sea Eagles utility Josh Schuster for next season on a one-year contract.

“We think a comeback to the NRL with our club will be just what Josh needs to get his career back on track,” Ellison said.

“We’re confident that he can use this second opportunity at NRL level, at a new club with new coaches, new teammates and renewed expectations, to resume his NRL career and achieve his and the team’s goals.”

All Blacks Rugby 7s star Moses Leo will join Melbourne Storm’s NRL squad from the 2026 season after signing a two-year contract.

Leo, who represented New Zealand at the recent Paris Olympic Games, has been identified by Storm’s recruitment team as a player who can fill a number of outside back positions, including wing, centre and fullback.

He represented New Zealand at the Olympic Games in Paris and was a member of the bronze medal-winning All Black sevens team at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Leo will fulfil his contract with the NZRU in 2025 before relocating to Melbourne. His Storm contract covers the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

Storm Director of Football Frank Ponissi said the club was looking forward to welcoming the new signing for the start of the 2026 pre-season.

“We’re very impressed with Moses’s qualities and the strong desire he has to test his skills in rugby league,” he said.

“Although we won’t get to see him until November next year, signing Moses is a look to the future. It’s important we continue to build our list, especially with the prospect of new teams joining the competition.”

National Schoolboy Cup winners Sam Stephenson and Zane Harrison have been rewarded for leading Palm Beach Currumbin to victory in last week’s final with development contracts at the Gold Coast Titans.

The pair have long been in the club’s system and trained with the first-grade side last pre-season and will take a major step towards NRL debuts when they join the squad on a full-time basis.

Harrison won the Peter Sterling Medal in last week’s last gasp victory over Patrician Brothers Blackton while Stephenson is preparing to play two matches for the Australian Schoolboys in October.

The Titans have also announced Tukimihia Simpkins will join the Gold Coast’s development roster in 2025 for the next two seasons.

The New Zealand-born prop made his first-grade debut and played five games with the Wests Tigers in 2021 and 2022, before moving to Brisbane in 2024 and dominating in the Hostplus Cup with North Devils to earn a full-time contract again.

Raiders hooker Zac Woolford is leaving the national capital to join Huddersfield in the Super League competition.

Woolford has signed a one-year deal with the Giants and farewells the Green Machine after three seasons and 39 NRL matches for the club.

The Eels have confirmed that prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard has been granted a release from the final year of his contract to pursue an opportunity at another NRL club.

Campbell-Gillard joined the Eels in 2020 from the Panthers and went on to play 107 games for the blue and gold, including the 2022 grand final.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Parramatta, I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and for the lifelong friendships I’ve made,” Campbell-Gillard said.

“I also want to thank the passionate Eels fanbase, it’s been a pleasure playing in front of them and I’ve appreciated all their support over the years.”

Meanwhile, Wests Tigers have signed Jack Bird for two seasons from 2025.

The premiership winner has been exploring his options throughout the past month and ultimately decided to join Benji Marshall’s rebuild at the Tigers.

Bird will depart the Dragons immediately and begin his time at his new club when pre-season kicks off in November and is contracted through to the end of the 2026 season.

“Jack is a very talented player, a very good person, and we’re thrilled that he’s decided to join us,” Marshall said.

“He has achieved a lot in the game and brings a wealth of experience to our young squad.

“We all look forward to welcoming Jack and his partner Mirae to the Wests Tigers.”

Erin Clark is returning to New Zealand after signing a three-year deal with the Warriors to the end of 2027.

The Titans announced they had granted the Kiwi forward an early release from the remainder of his contract on compassionate grounds, with the 26-year-old wanting to return to New Zealand with his partner and young family.

“Erin was coming through our NYC system when I was first here and was a player with lots of ability,” Warriors head coach Andrew Webster said.

“It didn’t work out for him initially but the way he has taken his second chance has been outstanding. He has developed into a tough middle forward, durable with a great work ethic, intensity and aggression.”

“I feel like I still have so much more to give, I’m committed to this team and to this club and I’m excited about the future.”

Young Titans forward Seth Nikotemo has also been granted an early release and has joined Wakefield Trinity in the United Kingdom for the 2025 season.