Titans forward joins new club, effective immediately – NRL News

Gold Coast Titans center third ahead Josiah Pahulu has joined the Melbourne Storm with instant impact.

The gifted younger prop, who has needed to cope with concussion associated points via the primary half of 2025, will be a part of the Storm and begin coaching with the membership this week on a two-year deal that can run via to the top of 2027.

The prop has been set to depart the Titans for the reason that back-end of final 12 months when the membership rested him from the ultimate sport of the 2024 marketing campaign, costing him a bonus fee.

He was in negotiations with the Canterbury Bulldogs on the back-end of final 12 months, but it surely wound up a two-way race between the Melbourne Storm and Newcastle Knights for his providers heading into 2026.

The Titans then agreed to a right away transfer for Pahulu although, with the 21-year-old who was born in Auckland however raised in Penrith enjoying 22 NRL video games so far of his profession after debuting in Spherical 5 final 12 months.

“Josiah is a talented young footballer and an impressive individual,” Melbourne’s director of soccer Frank Ponissi mentioned in a membership assertion.

“He is a dynamic younger ahead who has already proven spectacular potential early in his NRL profession. We’re assured he’ll make a powerful influence and be a precious addition to the gifted group of rising center forwards in our squad and coming via our pathways program.

“We’re excited to see what Josiah can obtain in Melbourne and delighted to welcome him to the Membership.”

The place Pahulu matches into the Storm would be the query.

He’s clearly as much as first grade normal, however Melbourne have a number of center third expertise, led by low season recruit Stefano Utoikamanu, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Tui Kamikamica, Josh King, Alec MacDonald, Trent Loiero and Tui Kamikamica, who might now be set to depart the membership on the finish of the season.

Melbourne have the bye subsequent weekend, with Pahulu’s first potential hit out for Craig Bellamy’s aspect coming in opposition to his outdated membership on the Gold Coast throughout Spherical 13.

The Titans claimed that they’d been in discussions with Pahulu over a contract extension for ‘a while’ however had been unable to succeed in an settlement, and that his launch got here in the perfect pursuits of each events.