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AAP
AAP
George Clarke and Jasper Bruce

Tigers to keep Twal, Souths extend Koloamatangi

Alex Twal (centre) will remain a Wests Tigers player, after agreeing a new deal to the end of 2027. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)

Alex Twal looks set to finish his NRL career at Wests Tigers after the club agreed a new deal with the prop weeks after telling him he was free to leave.

Also on Thursday, South Sydney signed NSW representative Keaon Koloamatangi to a new two-year deal.

In September, Lebanon international Twal was told he was free to hunt for a new club for 2024, with Canterbury and Manly both linked with the hard-working forward.

But the Tigers have now made a 180-degree turn, re-signing the 27-year-old until the end of 2027.

Twal broke the longest try-scoring drought in NRL history earlier this season when, in his 115th game, he crossed against Melbourne. 

"We're delighted to lock in a new long-term deal with Alex and his family," Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe said.

"This new contract will see Alex join a select group of players to play for a decade or more at Wests Tigers. That speaks volumes."

Twal has played in 124 games for the Tigers and won four caps for Lebanon.

State of Origin second-rower Koloamatangi has committed to the Rabbitohs through 2026.

A local junior, Koloamatangi made his NRL debut with Souths in 2020 and has since played 82 NRL games, including the 2021 grand final loss.

He has been a regular starter since 2021 and forged a fruitful combination with young halfback Lachlan Ilias on the right edge following the departure of Adam Reynolds.

His strong form to start 2023 was rewarded with a maiden NSW appearance in the third game of the most recent Origin series.

But he dipped thereafter in line with the Rabbitohs', the early competition leaders plunging down the ladder and missing finals for the first time since 2017.

Koloamatangi is looking forward to a fresh start in 2024.

"There's massive belief here that we can win comps," he said.

"We've been very close in recent years so I didn't want to leave and throw away all of the hard work we've done, as well as the hard work we have in front of us. That's not in my DNA."

Gold Coast have extended the contract of PNG international Jacob Alick for a further season.

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