York Knights have announced two loan signings when confirming their 21-man squad to face Hull FC, with a former NRL star signed up.
The Knights will head out on the road for the second week in a row with Hull FC their hosts on Friday night as York look to bounce back after a heavy defeat to Leeds Rhinos.
Aiding them in that bid is new signing David Nofoaluma, the former NRL back who has become a free agent following Halifax Panthers’ compulsory liquidation.
What’s interesting is that York have not signed Nofoaluma on a permanent basis but instead as a loan deal, with Newcastle Thunder understood to be the side who have recruited the ex-Wests Tigers man.
York and Newcastle have shared plenty of players already this year with the two clubs having previously entered into an arrangement that is beneficial to each of them, with recent NRL champions Penrith Panthers also involved.
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How York Knights have been able to sign David Nofoauluma on loan
That agreement saw plenty of York Knights’ 2025 Championship squad sign with Newcastle for the 2026 season but it has also seen players signed by Thunder and then loaned to the Knights.
One such example was ex-Leeds Rhinos and Salford forward King Vuniyayawa, who is again named in York’s 21-man squad this week, and now two more have joined him.
David Nofoaluma and Myles Harrison, the former Knights player who left York to join Newcastle for 2026, have been named in Mark Applegarth’s 21-man squad this week.
The reason why York are able to play Nofoaluma despite already having the maximum number of overseas quota players at the club is because they have loaned out quota players to Newcastle.
In recent weeks, full-back Jordan Lipp has featured for Newcastle and he could be joined this week by John Sagaga, who was among the pair to make way in York’s 21-man squad to allow the arrival of Nofoaluma and Harrison.
York remain compliant with the quota cap of ten players, however, their partnership with Newcastle effectively allows them a larger pool of quota players to pick from – a loophole that currently remains legal under the current RFL rules.
York Knights 21-man squad to face Hull FC: 1. Toa Mata’afa, 2. Ben Jones-Bishop, 4. Sam Wood, 5. Scott Galeano, 6. Mafoa’aeata Hingano, 7. Liam Harris, 8. Jack Martin, 9. Paul McShane, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Josh Griffin, 12. Jesse Dee, 13. Jordan Thompson, 14. Denive Balmforth, 15. Xavier Va’a, 16. Justin Sangare, 19. Danny Richardson, 20. Oli Field, 26. Nikau Williams, 31. King Vuniyayawa, 35. Myles Harrison, 46. David Nofoaluma
