St George Illawarra Dragons have completed their second signing in quick succession, with Christian Tuipulotu joining Raymond Faitala-Mariner in Shane Flanagan's ranks.
Manly agreed to allow the winger to pursue options elsewhere after he fell down the pecking order on the Northern Beaches and the Dragons have now pounced following the season-ending injury suffered by Corey Allan.
Christian Tuipulotu signs contract with the Dragons after Manly exit
Tuipulotu, who was contracted to the Sea Eagles through until 2025, sought an immediate release to link up with Flanagan after reportedly forming a close bond with the new head coach during his time as an assistant with Manly.
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The Dragons have been in the market for new players since Flanagan took over after Anthony Griffin's rocky tenure came to an end last year with the 22-year-old signing a two-year deal.
They have gone after a number of stars, including Addin Fonua-Blake and Tom Dearden, to try and bolster their side after years of underachievement, but have mostly come up short.
Yet the opportunistic signings of Faitala-Mariner and Tuipulotu are a welcome boost under a month out from the new campaign starting.
"Christian is a big body who can add some strike out of the backfield and will be a valuable addition to the club," Flanagan said.
"We have some good outside backs coming through at the Dragons but having lost Corey Allan for the season it was important for us to add some NRL experience to the backline for this year."
Tuipulotu made 32 appearances for the Sea Eagles after joining them in 2020 from the Sydney Roosters, scoring 13 tries in the process.
However, the Tongan international looked set to lose his spot out on the wing after Manly recruited heavily in outside backs for the season ahead.
Jaxson Paulo and Tommy Talau have both joined Anthony Seibold's side, while Jason Saab appears to have locked down one spot already having previously inked a long-term extension.
After his breakout year in 2022, where he scored 11 tries in 19 matches, Tuipulotu found things much tougher going in 2023 as he was able to make just 12 appearances and cross for two four-pointers.
Tuipulotu's departure has opened up a spot in Manly's top 30 roster, with veteran enforcer Nathan Brown believed to be the recipient of an upgrade after being on a train-and-trial deal in the off-season.
"We thank Christian for all of his efforts at the Sea Eagles and wish him the best in the next chapter of his career,'' the club's CEO Tony Mestrov said.
St George Illawarra Dragons NRL squad 2024
- Alec Tuitavake
- Ben Hunt
- Ben Murdoch-Masila
- Blake Lawrie
- Christian Tuipulotu
- Cody Ramsey
- Corey Allan
- Dan Russell
- Francis Molo
- Hame Sele
- Jack de Belin
- Jack Bird
- Jacob Liddle
- Jaydn Su'A
- Jesse Marschke
- Kyle Flanagan
- Mat Feagai
- Max Feagai
- Michael Molo
- Mikaele Ravalawa
- Moses Suli
- Paul Turner
- Raymond Faitala-Mariner
- Ryan Couchman
- Sione Finau
- Toby Couchman
- Tom Eisenhuth
- Tyrell Sloan
- Viliami Fifita
- Zac Lomax
