Super League 2026: 10 intriguing signings to watch including Tyson Smoothy, Jackson Hastings, and more
Sky Sports' Megan Wellens picks out 10 Super League signings to keep an eye on as the 2026 season gets under way; The season kicks off on February 12 as York Knights host champions Hull KR; Sky Sports is the only place to watch every Super League game live in 2026
Sunday 8 February 2026 08:30, UK
With the 2026 Super League season just around the corner, Sky Sports' Megan Wellens picks out 10 big signings to keep a keen eye on...
Jacob Alick-Wiencke
Age: 26
Position: Back row
Former club: Gold Coast Titans
New club: Leigh Leopards
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Papua New Guinea international Jacob Alick-Wiencke joins Leigh Leopards for three years and looks set to strengthen their pack as a direct replacement for Ethan O'Neill.
Adrian Lam says he has been watching the 6ft five forward for a long while and wants him to bring the "x-factor" to his outfit.
If he can be as destructive as his head coach hopes, then the big man will leave his mark.
Tyson Smoothy
Age: 26
Position: Hooker
Former club: Brisbane Broncos
New club: Wakefield Trinity
Tyson Smoothy joins Wakefield on a three-year deal off the back of an NRL Grand Final triumph with Brisbane Broncos, ending their 19-year drought, and looks to be a real pick up for Daryl Powell's side.
Smoothy only has 46 first team appearances to his name but is still relatively young and has been impressing in training, especially with his passing.
Now, with Wakefield he looks set to make the move from bench hooker to starting hooker and could really bolster them with his big game experience.
Jackson Hastings
Age: 30
Position: Scrum-half, stand-off
Former club: Newcastle Knights
New club: St Helens
Anyone who has been watching Super League for a while will know the potential St Helens have got in Jackson Hastings.
Hastings won the Man of Steel award back in 2019 as he helped lead Salford all the way to the Grand Final and he will be hoping he can find that form once again as he fills the whole of experienced halfback that St Helens have been crying out for.
His kicking game will be key and partnered with Tristan Sailor, he is expected to play the supporting role of setting up those around him.
If he does it effectively, St Helens will look a completely different side.
Lewis Dodd
Age: 23
Position: Scrum-half
Former club: South Sydney Rabbitohs
New club: Catalans Dragons
Talk about having a point to prove- I expect Lewis Dodd to try and prove his point for Catalans Dragons in 2026.
He had a really rough time off it in the NRL with his move to South Sydney, playing on just six occasions, and the former St Helens man will want to find the heights he did that saw him kick the golden point match-winning drop goal in the World Club Challenge against Penrith Panthers on their own turf back in 2023.
Catalans need leadership and with nearly 100 appearances to his name, this could be his moment to step up.
Jazz Tevaga
Age: 30
Position: Loose forward, hooker
Former club: Manly Sea Eagles
New club: Wakefield Trinity
Samoan international Jazz Tevaga is another astute signing for a Wakefield Trinity side that look to be really building. He has been a mainstay in the NRL for the last 10 years and will bring a whole heap of experience to the West Yorkshire side.
Once again, it will be a leader into the pack for Wakefield who they will hope is relentless for them not only in setting standards but delivering on them too.
Harvie Hill
Age: 22
Position: Prop
Former club: Wigan Warriors
New club: Hull FC
Hull FC paid big money to land young up-and-comer in Harvie Hill and if he delivers on the expectations many have for him in the game, then he will be part of a young group at the black and whites that are hoping to be something special in the future.
This move is about Hill stepping into being a consistently top performer week-in and week-out in Super League and many Hull FC fans are right to get excited about what he has to offer.
"As we all know, Wigan's Academy is one of the best out there, so to be picking up one of their young forwards is a real statement of intent from Hull FC, especially where our pack is concerned, and I'm thrilled that Harvie will be a part of our journey in 2026 and onwards," said Hull FC's Director of Rugby, Gareth Ellis.
Liam Byrne
Age: 26
Position: Prop
Former club: Wigan Warriors
New club: Warrington Wolves
Leadership and strong culture is what Warrington Wolves need and that is what they will be hoping they have got in Liam Byrne.
Byrne has made over 100 appearances for Wigan, won everything the competition has to offer, and those standards that were set at his former club will be what he will try and introduce at his new club.
The pack needs a leader and he will hope to lead it.
Chris Patolo
Age: 24
Position: Prop
Former club: Manly Sea Eagles
New club: Huddersfield Giants
Chris Patolo is only young but he is already making himself be counted at the Giants.
Patolo is in the Super League to make his mark and his head coach Luke Robinson has said that his efforts in pre-season have made everyone "stand up and take notice".
"Chris Patolo has everyone's eye," Robinson said. "He's not only big and uncompromising but has great leg speed and moves around the field really well.
"It's something we've lacked and he's really impressed me and everyone else."
Huddersfield need to improve in lots of key areas and it sounds like they are starting up front.
Paul Vaughan
Age: 34
Position: Prop
Former club: Warrington Wolves
New club: York Knights
York Knights come into Super League lacking experience of the top flight and so they have tried to recruit those who know how to perform in this competition: Up steps Paul Vaughan.
Vaughan has always tried to pride himself on being a leader up front but he is going to have to do that and then some as York navigate this new stage of their history as a club.
In the tough moments, in the great moments, his voice is going to be listened to and he is going to be counted on.
Ollie Partington
Age: 27
Position: Loose forward
Former club: Catalans Dragons
New club: Wigan Warriors
The most intriguing return home for Ollie Partington! Partington's late swap with Kruise Leeming has raised eyebrows but it means that he returns home in an interesting role for Matt Peet's Warriors.
Brad O'Neill is Wigan's starting hooker, this move looks like they will put more trust in young Tom Forber and Partington will play a role that is key- they are light in the pack and he needs to make that up.
I am excited to see how this one plays out.
2026 Super League - key dates and what to look out for
- Opening night: Thu Feb 12: York Knights v Hull KR, 8pm (Sky Sports)
- World Club Challenge: Thu Feb 19: Hull KR v Brisbane Broncos, 7:30pm (Sky Sports)
- Rugby League in Las Vegas: Sat Feb 28: Hull KR v Leeds Rhinos, TBC (Sky Sports)
- Super League's 30th birthday: Thu Mar 26: Castleford Tigers v Bradford Bulls, 8pm (Sky Sports)
- Rivals Round: April 3-April 5
- Super League in Paris: Sat Jun 6: Catalans Dragons v Wigan Warriors (Paris), 6:30 UK (Sky Sports)
- Magic Weekend: July 4-July 5
- Rivals Round reversed: July 23-July 26
- Elimination Play-offs: September 19-September 20
- Play-off semi-finals: September 26-September 27
- Grand Final: October 3, Old Trafford.
Sky Sports will again show every game of the Super League live this season - including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining five matches each week shown on Sky Sports+
