While they restructure their forward pack for the 2025 NRL season, the Cronulla Sharks have begun contract negotiations with one of their most reliable and underappreciated forwards.
Hau Tapuha began his career in the Mal Meninga Cup with the Redcliffe Dolphins. He then played three NRL games for the Sydney Roosters over three seasons (2021–2023) before mid-season transfer to the Sharks.
The 22-year-old, who was regarded as one of the Roosters’ most promising forwards at the time, has played in ten games for the Cronulla Sharks but has mostly been with the Newtown Jets in the NSW Cup to further his development.
Negotiations for a new contract that would keep forward Tuku Hau Tapuha at the Shire past the 2025 NRL season have reportedly begun, Zero Tackle has learnt from sources who wish to remain anonymous.
The club has high expectations for him, and given that Royce Hunt (Wests Tigers) and Jack Williams (Parramatta Eels) are leaving for rival Sydney teams, it is anticipated that he will play more games next season.
Tapuha told Zero Tackle, “It’s a place where I kind of got a vibe of the join, and it’s a really drop your shoulders joint, and you can really be yourself,” following his victory over the North Sydney Bears in the 2024 NSW Cup Grand Final a fortnight ago.
“Everyone who works there, from the players to the staff to the board, is someone I truly enjoy being around.
“They make it a really easy place to come into work and it doesn’t really feel like work when you’re enjoying it that much.”
With the addition of Addin Fonua-Blake from the New Zealand Warriors, Hunt’s departure from the team seemed inevitable, but Williams’ departure was unexpected because he had been with Cronulla since 2018.
Zero Tackle is aware that Samuel McCulloch, the lock forward and captain of the Jersey Flegg Cup, had a breakout season, which contributed to his departure; in the years to come, fans will likely hear more about McCulloch.
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