Following the news that Catalans Dragons recruit, Toby Sexton would play for the club in 2026 before moving to Perth Bears in 2027, a second recruit in Perpignan is set to do the same.
Sexton, alongside Harry Newman, became the Bears’ two first signings ahead of their inclusion in the NRL in 12 months time. Since then, they have announced that London Broncos duo Emarly Bitungane and Luke Smith will arrive at the club after a year in the Championship, increasing their total number of players to four.
They have now added two more to their ’27 roster, with both of them acquiring NRL experience over the past couple of years.
One of the players joining Perth is Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, the soon-to-be Catalans player and brother of Australia’s Ashes star, Tino. He will make the move after 12 months under Joel Tomkins, as he he hopes to get more of a prominent role in the NRL, having only played 28 games so far, all bar one coming off the bench.
Agreeing a two-year contract, the 24-year-old’s move adds more speculation over the future of brother Tino, with him also linked with a major exit from the Gold Coast Titans. Media in Australia believe that Iszac’s move to the Bears could interest the Kangaroos forward in a move to the club.
Perth Bears make double signing including incoming Catalans Dragons star
Perth’s signings so far have come in pairs, and they have continued that trend here.
Joining Fa’asuamaleaui at the club will be Penrith Panthers prop, Liam Henry, who joins on a huge four-year deal. He has featured 50 times in the past four seasons under Ivan Cleary, but like his fellow arrival has majorly being used from the bench.
Henry has a lot of potential, and is seen as one of the players Mal Meninga can build the team around, hence the lengthy contract.
Upon joining the club, both Fa’asuamelaui and Henry were delighted to secure their futures in the NRL, but the former has assured fans his full focus remains in Perpignan, for the next 12 months at least.
He said: “The Perth Bears provide an incredible opportunity for me to continue my career and play a part in building something special in Western Australia.
“It’s going to be good to get to play with Toby [Sexton] at Catalans and hopefully have a strong year in Super League.
“That’s my priority right now but in 2027 I’ll be ready to give it my all for the Bears.”
Henry added: “I’m excited about the opportunity to be a part of history and continue my career with the Perth Bears from 2027.
“It’s not every day you get the chance to be a part of a new team in a new city and it’s that opportunity that excites me the most.”
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