NRL 2023, NRLW signings, player signings, contracts, movement, recruits, latest

Cronulla have confirmed the marquee signing of Jillaroos star Emma Tonegato on a two-year contract in a major boost for their inaugural season in the NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership.

Tonegato will shift to arch-rivals the Sharks after two seasons at the Dragons, where she scored five tries in 13 games and earned Dally M medal honours in 2021. 

The Olympic gold medal winner, who returned to rugby league last year after an extensive career in rugby sevens, joins Dragons teammate Quincy Dodd as the first two recruits for the club.

“I had a few decisions to make and ultimately it came down to what was exciting for me and that was the Sharks and to being a part of the inaugural team,” Tonegato said in a statement.

Meanwhile, St George Illawarra could create some more NRLW history in 2023 after the club announced the services of Roxy Murdoch-Masila on Saturday. 

The wife of Dragons forward Ben Murdoch-Masila, Roxy shifts south from the Titans to join Jamie Soward’s new-look squad. 

If she takes the field, it would be the first time a husband-wife combination played at the same club across both competitions at the same time.

The Raiders have added two more international stars to their inaugural NRLW roster with English World Cup forward Hollie-Mae Dodd and Cook Islands fullback Mackenzie Wiki joining the club in 2023. 

Wiki, the daughter of Raiders’ legend Ruben, made the move to Australia from New Zealand to start training with Mounties in the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership, after meeting with the Raiders late last year.

Dodd currently plays for the York Valkyrie in the English Super League and won the competition’s Young Player of the Year in 2022.

Dodd double

The second rower also represented England at last year’s Rugby League World Cup, playing four matches, which included two tries against Canada in the second round of the competition.

Former Eels forward Filomina Hanisi and Kiwi Ferns prop Annetta Nu’uausala are the latest Broncos to commit to the club for 2023.

They join former national bobsled representative Ashleigh Werner, Tazmin Gray Kiwi Ferns powerhouse Mele Hufanga as the latest players set to play for the Broncos.

Defending premiers Newcastle have re-signed Jillaroos forward Yasmin Clydsdale on a new three-year deal.

It follows confirmation Tamika Upton will remain in red and blue until at least the end of 2027 – the longest contract so far of any player in the senior women’s competition.

The Sydney Roosters have re-signed three World Cup stars with Keilee Joseph, Olivia Kernick and Otesa Pule all returning in 2023.

Upton: “This is home now”

Shaniah Power will return home to the Cowboys in 2023 after signing a two-year contract to join the North Queensland club for their debut season.

Originally from Bowen in Queensland’s north, Power has featured for the Warriors, Titans and Roosters across three NRLW seasons, scoring six tries in 13 games,…