LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Sydney Roosters prop Xavier Va'a has signed a two-year contract with the York Knights in the English Super League. This move comes after he was released by the Roosters at the end of December, where he made only one NRL appearance in mid-2024.
Va'a joined the Roosters from the Broncos academy, alongside his brother De La Salle, but his time at Bondi was marred by a series of injuries. While De La Salle remains with the Roosters and aims for NRL action into 2026, Xavier is expected to fit into the York Knights' top 17, who have recently been promoted to the Super League for 2026.
Head coach Mark Applegarth expressed confidence in Va'a's abilities, stating, "He comes highly recommended and his footage looks exactly like the sort of player we were after, but more importantly he seems the kind of player who will fit the culture we have at York." He added, "He's come here to improve and to make his mark and he'll add a lot of depth to the pack and a lot of punch."
At 195 centimeters tall and weighing 114 kilograms, Va'a is regarded as one of the game's top young forwards. He boasts 44 NSW Cup appearances, including 12 in 2025, demonstrating strong performances in the middle of the field.