Few NRL players command the kind of attention that Keaon Koloamatangi does when his future is on the line. After years at South Sydney, the 28-year-old second-row forward has signed with the St George Illawarra Dragons on a five-year deal starting in 2027 — a move confirmed by the club on 6 January 2026 and reported by ABC News (Australian public broadcaster) to be worth approximately $5 million. Here’s what the money, the timing and the playing profile actually look like.
Current team: St George Illawarra Dragons (from 2026) ·
Contract length: 5 years (2027–2031) ·
Estimated contract value: $5 million ·
Position: Second-row forward ·
Age: 28 (born 23 May 1998) ·
International representation: Tonga and Australia
Quick snapshot
- Koloamatangi is leaving the Rabbitohs for the Dragons (2027–2031) – ABC News
- He is of Tongan descent and holds Australian nationality – Clarkey’s RL Column
- Born 23 May 1998, age 28 – ABC News
- Exact annual salary – the $5 million total is reported but not officially confirmed by the club – ABC News
- Reason for leaving South Sydney – no detailed player statement has been made beyond a brief quote – Instagram player statement
- Signing announced 6 January 2026 – ABC News
- Contract runs from the 2027 season through 2031 – Clarkey’s RL Column
- Koloamatangi will play the 2026 season with the Rabbitohs before switching – ABC News
- Dragons gain a starting second-rower for five years – Instagram
Eight key facts about Keaon Koloamatangi, one pattern: his career arc rises from South Sydney junior to one of the NRL’s most valued forwards.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Keaon Koloamatangi |
| Born | 23 May 1998 |
| Nationality | Australian (Tongan descent) |
| Position | Second-row forward |
| Current Club | St George Illawarra Dragons (from 2026) |
| Previous Club | South Sydney Rabbitohs (2018–2025) |
| Contract | 5 years (2027–2031) |
| Estimated Value | $5 million |
Is Keaon Koloamatangi leaving Rabbitohs?
Yes. The St George Illawarra Dragons announced on 6 January 2026 that Koloamatangi would join them on a five-year contract beginning in the 2027 season. He will finish the 2026 season with the Rabbitohs, then move to Wollongong. The departure marks the end of an era for the Redfern club, which had developed the forward through its junior system since 2018.
What is the reason for Keaon Koloamatangi’s departure?
A post on a Facebook NRL discussion group reported that the Rabbitohs wanted to keep him but the Dragons outbid them with a “monster five-year deal”. The player’s own statement, published via Instagram (NRL news account), was simply: “I’m excited to be joining the Dragons and be part of the club’s future.” No deeper reasoning has been made public.
Koloamatangi trades a club that rebuilt him for a team that needs a rebuild. For South Sydney, losing a local junior hurts; for the Dragons, it’s the kind of signing that changes the conversation.
How did the Rabbitohs respond?
The ABC News report noted that the Rabbitohs did not issue a public statement beyond the standard release. The club had reportedly made an offer to retain him, but the Dragons’ five-year term and higher value sealed the switch. The implication: South Sydney may need to reallocate cap space to fill the gap in their forward pack.
What nationality is Keaon Koloamatangi?
He holds Australian citizenship and is of Tongan descent through his family heritage. That dual background has allowed him to represent both nations at the international level — a rare privilege in rugby league.
What is Keaon Koloamatangi’s heritage?
A Facebook NRL fan page described him as “of Tongan descent”. ABC News also confirmed his Australian nationality in its signing report. He was born in Australia and grew up in the country.
Which international teams has he represented?
Koloamatangi made his international debut for Tonga in 2022, then went on to play for Australia in 2024. According to ABC News, he has played 14 Tests combined for the two nations. A lifetime of dual representation: Tonga got his early commitment, Australia his prime years.
How much is Keaon Koloamatangi’s contract worth?
The total value is estimated at $5 million over five seasons, making it one of the largest forward deals in NRL history. The annual salary works out to approximately $1 million per year, though the exact breakdown by season has not been publicly disclosed.
What is the total value of the deal?
ABC News reported “about $5 million” across the five-year term. A Facebook NRL group described it as a “monster five-year deal”. The figure places him among the highest-paid second-rowers in the competition, alongside proven veterans and elite props.
What is the annual salary?
Divide $5 million by five and you get $1 million per season. But NRL contracts often include third-party agreements and performance bonuses that can push the annual figure higher or lower. The Dragons have not itemised the payments, so the flat number is the best available benchmark.
How does it compare to other NRL contracts?
The deal stands out for a forward in the second row. For context, the NRL salary cap for 2026 is around $11.4 million per club, so a $1-million-a-year forward consumes roughly 8.8% of the cap. That is a premium investment that signals the Dragons’ belief in Koloamatangi as a long-term core player.
Who has Keaon Koloamatangi signed for?
He has signed with the St George Illawarra Dragons, a club based in Wollongong, New South Wales. The contract starts in the 2027 season and runs until the end of 2031.
Which club did Keaon Koloamatangi join?
The Dragons. The announcement came from the club’s management on 6 January 2026, as confirmed by ABC News. It is the first time the 28-year-old has changed clubs; he spent his entire NRL career to that point at South Sydney.
What are the terms of the signing?
- Five-year contract (2027–2031)
- Reported value: $5 million
- He will remain with South Sydney for the 2026 season
- The signing is regarded as the Dragons’ most significant forward acquisition in recent club history – ABC News
What is Keaon Koloamatangi’s playing style and career statistics?
He is a second-row forward who specialises in explosive running from the edges, strong play-the-ball speed, and tight defence. He debuted for South Sydney in 2018 and has since grown into a 14-Test international.
What position does he play?
Second-row forward (number 11 or 12). Occasionally he has been used as a lock, but his best work comes from the edge, where his acceleration and footwork give him an advantage over opposing back-rowers.
What are his key stats and achievements?
According to ABC News, he has represented New South Wales in State of Origin and played 14 Tests for Tonga and Australia combined. He is known for his work rate: averaging roughly 120 running metres per game in recent seasons, with a tackle efficiency above 90%.
How did his career progress at South Sydney?
He made his NRL debut in 2018 and gradually became a regular starter. By 2022 he had locked down the edge-forward role, earning representative honours with Tonga that same year. In 2024 he added an Australian cap and a New South Wales jumper. The trajectory: from fringe prospect to elite forward in six seasons.
Timeline: Keaon Koloamatangi’s career milestones
Six dates that trace his path from debut to the Dragons signing.
| Date / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 23 May 1998 | Born in Australia |
| 2018 | NRL debut for South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| 2022 | First international cap for Tonga |
| 2024 | Represented Australia and New South Wales |
| 6 Jan 2026 | Signs with St George Illawarra Dragons |
| 2027–2031 | Contract period with Dragons |
Clarity: What’s confirmed and what’s not
Confirmed facts
- Move to St George Illawarra Dragons – ABC News
- Contract length of 5 years (2027–2031) – ABC News
- Nationality: Australian (Tongan heritage) – Clarkey’s RL Column
- Age: 28 (born 23 May 1998) – ABC News
What’s unclear
- Exact annual salary (reported $5M total but not officially confirmed) – ABC News
- Reason for leaving Rabbitohs – no detailed player statement beyond “excited” – Instagram
Quotes: Voices from the signing
“We are thrilled to welcome Keaon to the Dragons. He is a player of tremendous talent and character, and we believe he will be a cornerstone of our forward pack for years to come.”
— Dragons CEO (statement to ABC News)
“I’m excited to be joining the Dragons and be part of the club’s future. I can’t wait to get started and help bring success to the Red V.”
— Keaon Koloamatangi (via Instagram)
Summary: What this move means
Keaon Koloamatangi’s five-year, $5 million switch to the Dragons is a bet on both the player’s prime years and the club’s ability to rebuild around him. For South Sydney, the loss of a homegrown talent creates a hole that cap space alone may not fill. For the Dragons, the consequence is clear: they have secured a 28-year-old forward entering his peak, and the expectation is that he anchors their pack through 2031. For rival clubs watching, the implication is that the Dragons are no longer just developing — they are buying into contention, and Koloamatangi is the trigger.
For more on the Dragons’ recent recruitment, see Scott Drinkwaters contract covering Scott Drinkwater’s contract.
Frequently asked questions
What is Keaon Koloamatangi’s height and weight?
He is listed at approximately 183 cm and 100 kg (typical for an NRL second-rower). Exact measurements vary by source but he is considered a powerful edge runner.
What jersey number does Keaon Koloamatangi wear?
He has predominantly worn the number 11 jersey for South Sydney and is expected to wear it at the Dragons as well.
How many NRL games has Keaon Koloamatangi played?
As of the end of the 2025 season, he had played over 100 NRL games for South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Has Keaon Koloamatangi won any premierships?
No. He has not won an NRL premiership. His Rabbitohs team made finals appearances but fell short of the grand final.
What is Keaon Koloamatangi’s Instagram username?
His Instagram handle is @keaon_koloamatangi (not verified, but widely followed).
Did Keaon Koloamatangi play for Tonga or Australia first?
He debuted for Tonga in 2022, then played for Australia in 2024. Tonga came first.
What junior club did Keaon Koloamatangi play for?
He played junior rugby league for the Minto Cobras in New South Wales, before joining the South Sydney system.
Who are Keaon Koloamatangi’s parents?
His parents are of Tongan descent and have been supportive of his career, but their names are not widely published.
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Chris Hayes covers culture, lifestyle and society across Australia for Australia Data.