Rising Star Isaiah Iongi Signs Three-Year NRL Deal in Major Recruitment Coup
One of rugby league’s most exciting young prospects, Isaiah Iongi, has officially put pen to paper on a new three-year deal that will see him join a new NRL club from the 2025 season onward.
The 21-year-old fullback, widely regarded as one of the game’s emerging stars, will link up with his new team at the start of next year and is contracted through to the end of the 2027 season. The signing was announced on Thursday, 22 August 2024, and is being hailed as a major step forward for the club’s future planning.
The deal was confirmed via the club’s official channels, with officials expressing excitement about the explosive backline talent joining their ranks. Iongi’s signature is seen as a proactive and strategic move—one aimed at injecting speed, athleticism, and youth into a roster in need of long-term backline depth.
Club General Manager of Football, Mark O’Neill, spoke positively about what the acquisition represents. “Isaiah is a talented player with a promising future. He will be a wonderful addition to our backline next season,” O’Neill said. “We look forward to welcoming him and his family in the coming months.”
Despite being in the early stages of his NRL journey, Iongi has already made a strong impression. He made his top-grade debut in Round 22 of the 2024 season and delivered a breakout performance at fullback, racking up 257 running metres and eight tackle busts. The display sent shockwaves across the competition and immediately stamped him as one to watch.
Before making his NRL debut, Iongi built a stellar résumé in the lower grades. In 2023, he was crowned the NSW Cup Fullback of the Year, an honour earned through his consistent high-level play, aggressive running, and game awareness. The year prior, he took out the Jersey Flegg Cup Player of the Year award, a reflection of his dominance in the under-21s competition.
.
He also boasts representative honours, having starred for the Queensland Under-19s in a State of Origin showcase for future talent. That performance, combined with his club-level accolades, solidified his reputation as one of the most exciting fullbacks rising through the ranks.
While Iongi’s move has generated plenty of buzz, the new club has made it clear that it will be respecting his current commitments. In a show of professionalism, the team has indicated that it won’t be making further public comments until the time is right—allowing the player to finish the 2024 season with his current side without distraction.
For fans, the addition of Iongi signals a commitment to building a younger, faster, and more dynamic team. With his proven versatility—capable of playing fullback, wing, or centre—and natural ability to break open games, he looms as a genuine chance to start in the backline come 2025, depending on off-season performance and team needs.
The timing of the signing is also noteworthy, as the club continues to rebuild and refresh its squad following a challenging 2024 campaign. Injuries and inconsistency have prompted a renewed focus on recruitment and development, and Iongi’s arrival fits the bill perfectly.
He brings the modern skillset clubs now demand in their backline players—speed, power, agility, and a keen sense of positioning. If his current trajectory continues, Iongi could well join the ranks of other breakout young fullbacks who have rapidly risen to NRL stardom.
For now, eyes will remain on the remainder of his 2024 season. But come pre-season 2025, the attention will shift to how quickly Iongi adapts to his new surroundings and what kind of impact he can make at the next level.
While contract figures and additional terms remain undisclosed, the message is clear: a club with big ambitions has just secured a major piece of its future puzzle.
Isaiah Iongi’s move represents more than just a player transfer—it’s a statement of intent, and one that’s sure to excite supporters looking ahead to 2025 and beyond.
