Canterbury have landed Sitili Tupouniua on a four-year deal, just hours after the previously off-contract Angus Crichton opted to stay at the Sydney Roosters for another two years.
Despite signing a three-year contract extension with the Roosters in November, the club informed Tupouniua in recent days he was free to test the market.
Tupouniua had attracted interest from Manly but AAP has been told he will instead move to the rebuilding Bulldogs under Cameron Ciraldo in a deal set to be announced in coming days.
Tupouniua's arrival at Canterbury will allow him to play on either the edge or in the middle for the Bulldogs, in a pack that is earning its status as one of the most mobile in the NRL.
The Roosters are expected to contribute to part of the Tupouniua's $650,000 salary, after his hefty wage had become surplus to requirements at the Roosters.
The Tongan international has spent brief parts of this year playing reserve grade for the Roosters, while also being used off the bench and in the centres.
The move has come with Victor Radley taking up an edge role at the club, while Crichton is firing at left second row.
Crichton was also publicly questioning his future at the club as recently as six weeks ago, unhappy with their signing of David Fifita for next year.
But Fifita's decision to backflip on that deal and stay at Gold Coast prompted Crichton to reconsider his options, as he also weighed up a potential shift to rugby union.
On Monday the Roosters confirmed they had retained Crichton through until the end of 2026.
“I’m incredibly proud to continue my journey with the Sydney Roosters,” he said.
“This team is like family to me, and so are the people within the club.
"There’s honestly nowhere else I’d rather be.
"I feel like I still have so much more to give, and I’m committed to continuing to bring my best and to playing my role for the team."
Crichton has been one of the NRL's biggest feel-good stories this season.
Following an interrupted 2023 campaign, he began the year in reserve grade and apparently out of favour at the Roosters.
But since returning to the first-grade side in round three, he has recaptured his best form on the left edge and helped the Roosters charge into the top four through 17 rounds.
He has scored seven tries in 12 appearances, and was a stand-out player for NSW in their win in State of Origin II last month.
"I really value 'Gus' as a player, and as a person, so I’m looking forward to continuing to work with him over the next few years,” said Roosters coach Trent Robinson.
He will turn 30 just before the final season of his new contract.
