League One Rochdale Hornets have snapped up former Salford Red Devils and Leigh Leopards man Junior Sa’u for the 2026 season.
Sa’u has joined the Hornets on a one-year deal as the club prepare to make the jump up to an expanded Championship division. The 38-year-old has over 300 career appearances under his belt and he’ll provide some much needed experience at Spotland as the Hornets strive to successfully make the step up.
The centre has spent the last few seasons with Keighley Cougars, joining the club in 2022 and making 56 appearances for the West Yorkshire outfit. He spent five years with Salford earlier in his career, scoring 59 tries in 142 appearances, while he has also had spells with Wakefield Trinity and Leigh.
Prior to making the move over to England, Sa’u played in the NRL, playing 90 games down under between 2008 and 2013. Of those games, 86 of them came in the colours of Newcastle Knights before he spent a season at Melbourne Storm.
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Sa’u is also a former New Zealand and Samoa international. As well as representing the Hornets he will take on a community role, working in local schools as part of Rochdale’s partners Edstart Sports Coaching.
League One side sign Junior Sa’u
“It’s really exciting for me to take on this new challenge,” Sa’u told the club website.
“Throughout my career I’ve loved challenges, it’s what has kept me going. I’m grateful for the opportunity to keep playing the sport I’ve loved since being a little kid.
“I’ve always been a professional, on and off the pitch as well. I pride myself on keeping fit and feel like I’ve still got plenty to give.
“I’ve never lost my drive to compete at a high level, and I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my career with this great club.”
Hornets chairman Andy Mazey said: “Junior is a big name with a wealth of NRL and Super League experience, and is well-known for being a consummate professional.
“Without a doubt, he is a good fit for us as we look to significantly improve standards and the culture at the club in 2026.
“With the retirement of three senior professionals, Gary Thornton was keen to add some experience to the group, and Junior has played in some big games during his career for some of the greatest coaches in the world.
“Having done our homework and gotten to know him through the process of recruiting him, it’s evident that he’s still a fantastic athlete who is addicted to training and in remarkable shape.
“Away from the field, he will also be working with our strategic partner Edstart in local schools, and will be an asset in the community as a clean-living role model for young people and Hornets supporters to engage with.
“I’m really excited to see him in a Rochdale Hornets shirt. This is a great signing for us on a number of levels.”
