The Perth Bears has continued to build out their roster, with the club announcing the signing of versatile Sharks playmaker Niwhai Puru on a two-year deal.
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Puru, a Penrith Panthers junior, has played three NRL games for Cronulla this season since making his debut in Round 13.
Round 23
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His path to regular minutes is blocked, however, with Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall locked in as the Sharks’ first-choice halves.
Puru will have an immediate opportunity to see playing time at the Bears, who have Tyran Wishart, Toby Sexton, Jack Cole and Apa Twidle as options in the halves.
All five players are capable first-graders but outside of Sexton, who is the most established candidate after his impressive stint at the Bulldogs, there is an opening in the five-eighth jumper.
“This is an incredible opportunity to be a part of history and continue my career with the Perth Bears,” Puru said.
“I’m excited about the challenge of representing the Bears in their first season and look forward to working with Mal and all his coaching staff.
“This decision is bigger than football. It’s about creating something new with this team and for my family. I’m extremely proud and look forward to running out in front of the people of WA next year.”
Bears Head Coach Mal Meninga described Puru as a “dynamic ball runner” and said he believes the 24-year-old can “really make an impact” in the NRL.
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Bulldog questions Walsh’s ‘stupid’ act | 00:49
“We now have some real versatility and depth in our key positions and Niwhai promises to be an integral part of our squad,” Meninga added.
Puru’s signing follows news last week that Penrith young gun Jack Cole had also committed to the Bears, capping off what Bears GM of Football Gareth Holmes called a “big period” for the club.
Holmes went on to tease that “a few more big announcements” are on the horizon.
“Niwhai has the skillset to make an immediate impact, and I am delighted he has committed his future to the Bears,” Holmes said.
“He has been impressive for the Sharks this season and I have no doubt that given the opportunity he can continue this development in Perth.
“It’s been a big period for the club with Niwhai and Jack Cole both committing to the Bears on multi-year deals.
“We remain very active in the player market and I’m confident there will be a few more big announcements to be made over the coming weeks.”
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STORM LAND BIG DOUBLE SIGNING COUP
The Melbourne Storm have locked in two of their most promising young talents with Hayden Watson and Jai Bowden both extending their contracts until 2030.
The pair made their NRL debuts in last week’s loss to the Bulldogs where Watson shone at halfback in place of the injured Jahrome Hughes, while Bowden came on and impressed at dummy-half.
The two 19-year-olds have both come through the Storm’s academy pathways program and are seem as long-term players for the club.
Watson, a Beaudesert Kingfishers junior, started the year playing SG Ball, graduated to NSW Cup, and was rewarded with his NRL debut.
The youngster was born in Geelong but raised in Queensland, with Watson named Storm’s 2026 SG Ball Player of the Year after they finished second in the regular season.
Scouts have been following him closely after his best on ground performance for Queensland in their under-19s Origin victory where he scored a try.
Watson looms as a genuine starting option if veteran Cameron Munster decides to leave the club at the end of the 2027 season, while Bowden has the best teacher in the world with Harry Grant there to help him develop.
Bowden has also starred in the junior ranks and was part of the Storm side that won the 2025 Jersey Flegg premiership.
“We’re thrilled to have Hayden and Jai extend their contracts with Storm,” director of football Frank Ponissi said.
“Both Hayden and Jai are talented young footballers with great characters and have exciting futures in Melbourne. We’re confident they’ll develop strongly in our system over the coming years.”
ADDO-CARR REVEALS PHONE CALL TO INJURED LATRELL
Josh Addo-Carr won’t get to play against great mate Latrell Mitchell this weekend, but the veteran winger hopes the two superstars can reunite on the big stage at the World Cup later this year after their heroics at the last tournament.
Mitchell last played in round 11, with the South Sydney centre sidelined with back and calf issues that ruled him out of the entire State of Origin series.
The club revealed two weeks ago that Mitchell has met with a specialist neurologist as he tries to overcome complex nerve damage.
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He will miss Saturday’s game against Parramatta as part of Indigenous Round, with the rugby league world and his closest friends hoping he can get back on the field soon.
“I speak to him all the time,” Addo-Carr said.
“I rang him the other day (and said) ‘love you, brother’.
“Man, you don’t wish injuries upon any player, you know? Everyone wants to play every week, train every day. But it’s just the way it is at the moment.
“I always talk to him, make sure to check in on him. I know he is doing his very best to get back on the field. You don’t wish it upon anyone. He is my brother boy, and I hope he gets back very, very soon.”
The Kangaroos are also hoping Mitchell is fit again by the time the World Cup kicks off on October 15 given what he and Addo-Carr were able to do in 2022.
Mitchell scored a double in the final while Addo-Carr crossed 12 times in the first four games as Australia went on to lift the trophy.
Addo-Carr has only scored six tries this year – his lowest tally since his debut year when he scored six in nine games – but he’d love to be in the squad again after he did a great job on last year’s Ashes tour.
He’s spoken with Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters, and is in the mix with Xavier Coates (Achilles) and Mark Nawaqanitawase (rugby) unavailable.
Selwyn Cobbo, Tom Jenkins, Jack Bostock and Campbell Graham are some of the other wingers in contention.
“That would be mad (if I got picked),” he said.
“I’ve had a few phone calls with Kevvy and we always check in on each other. We’ve got a close connection there, so I definitely won’t let him down. I’ve always told him that, so hopefully I do get the call up.
“I’d love putting that Kangaroos jersey on. When someone backs you, you definitely don’t want to let them down. He gave me an opportunity last year and I definitely won’t let him down.
“We played the hardest players, the hardest teams in the world, and we got on top (last time).
“I’ll tell you right now, that was the best camp to be a part of. That Aussie camp with the coaches and the players, they make it such a fun time.
“We work hard with each other during the week, and the bonus is playing football together. I absolutely love being a part of the camp and representing the best country in the world.”
Australia remains the favourite for the World Cup but New Zealand is getting all the attention with the ridiculous forward pack they’ll have.
“They can talk all they want,” Addo-Carr replied when asked if he cares about people doubting the Aussies.
“We just keep it humble and go about our business, and that’s what Australians do.
“So hopefully I do get the call up. I told Kevvy that I won’t let him down, and I won’t let our country down, I won’t let my teammates down.”
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