Manaia Waitere leaves Canberra Raiders for Melbourne Storm; Sione Finau joins Raiders from Dragons.
Making his NRL debut in Round 27 of the 2025 NRL season, Manaia Waitere has reportedly signed with a new team for next season after being granted an immediate release from the Canberra Raiders.
Originally set to be a part of the Raiders' Top 30 roster for 2026, The Daily Telegraph reports that Waitere has been released from the remainder of his contract with the Raiders and has signed with the Melbourne Storm for the 2026 NRL season, adding depth to their outside backs and halves.
While Watere has been released, recruit Sione Finau is looking to make his mark at the Canberra Raiders, having decided to join the club from the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Although he has primarily featured on the wing over the past few seasons, Finau is happy to play anywhere in the outside backs and put the pressure on incumbent centres Matthew Timoko and Sebastian Kris.