Given the Origin hype, and other world events, news of two former NRL regulars being released slipped under the radar.
Those who missed the news, over the weekend Catalans Dragons released both Siosiua Taukeiaho and Jayden Nikorima.
Their 'crime'? Being too sick to attend a team event, only to be caught at a concert.
Unprofessional? Sure, but this is hardly going to rate highly on the atrocity scale, and thus I believe the formers Roosters big man may find himself back in the NRL sooner than later.
Once thought of as the best middle man in the code, Taukeiaho would be a useful addition to a host of teams, should a return to the NRL materialise.
Yes, he is not the player he once was, but here are five teams who present logical landing spots for the 16-time international representative.
4. Sydney Roosters
Putting aside the romance of a return to Bondi, the Roosters are losing a stack of NRL talent at the end of the season.
Names like Tupouniua, Waerea-Hargreaves, Manu, Keary and Sua'ali'i will be leaving the club, with only Chad Townsend, officially, coming in.
Taukeiaho is probably in a spot where he couldn't demand first team selection across the board, and would happily slot into a squad rotation.
Despite two major losses, the Roosters pack is stacked next season, but the depth of 2024 just isn't there.
Taukeiaho re-joining the club, leading the Roosters out in NSW Cup and stepping up when called upon, makes for good reading.
Obviously this would come down to whether or Taukeiaho is willing to accept that spot, but I just can't see him passing up a chance to re-join the Bondi club.
