The speculation surrounding the potential acquisition of Xavier Willison by the South Sydney Rabbitohs has gained traction, fueled by a recent podcast discussion.
Willison, a forward for the Brisbane Broncos, has built a strong reputation since his debut in 2021. His contributions during injury spells last season played a significant role in helping the Broncos secure a premiership.
Additionally, he has represented both the Cook Islands and New Zealand internationally.
Veteran journalist James Hooper shared these rumors on the podcast Rugby League Insider, igniting interest in Willison's future.
It has come to light that he is currently transitioning to a new management team, led by Ahmad Merhi. Merhi, affiliated with Sportsplayer management, also represents Payne Haas, who recently signed with the Rabbitohs.
While Willison is locked in with the Broncos through the end of 2027, any interest from South Sydney at this point is largely hypothetical.
In July, Willison declined a lucrative contract extension from the Broncos that would have extended his stay until 2030 for over $900,000 annually.
The need for additional forward depth at South Sydney is evident, yet their current salary cap situation raises concerns regarding the feasibility of such a move.
As part of their strategy, the Rabbitohs signed Haas to a substantial three-year deal starting in 2027, while they have paused negotiation talks with players whose contracts expire at that time to focus on re-signing Tallis Duncan.