Sports · Other Sports · 1 hr ago
Dragons plan to use Koloamatangi as a ball-playing lock
Keaon Koloamatangi will join St George Illawarra after the World Cup and move to Wollongong with his young family.
Coach Dean Young plans to use him as a ball-playing lock, a different role from the one he has mainly played as a prop.
The 28-year-old became one of the leading props in the game after South Sydney moved him to the position last year.
His five-year, $5 million deal helped kick-start the Dragons’ recruitment drive, which brought several other players to the club.
Koloamatangi says he wants to help the Dragons win and inspire his new teammates by showing that hard work can earn a place in Australia’s team.
His experience is expected to help a young Dragons pack as the club builds for the future.
He is set to start for Australia against Fiji on Sunday night, then head to his new club after the World Cup.
Dragons coach Dean Young plans to use new recruit Keaon Koloamatangi as a ball-playing lock.
Koloamatangi signed a five-year deal worth $5 million with St George Illawarra.
Young said Koloamatangi’s skills could make him a link between the forwards and halves, similar to Isaah Yeo at Penrith.
Koloamatangi is preparing to start up front for Australia against Fiji on Sunday night.
He plans to move to Wollongong with his young family after the World Cup.
- Who
- St George Illawarra recruit Keaon Koloamatangi and Dragons coach Dean Young.
- What
- Young plans to use Koloamatangi as a ball-playing lock, with the possibility of also using him on an edge.
- When
- Young outlined the plan on October 23, 2026. Koloamatangi is due to play Fiji on Sunday night.
- Where
- At the Dragons, based in Wollongong. Koloamatangi plans to move there after the World Cup.
- Why
- Young said Koloamatangi has skills that have been underused in his recent role as a middle forward and can help the club’s young pack.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Souths coach Wayne Bennett moved Koloamatangi to prop out of necessity.
Young outlined plans to use Koloamatangi as a ball-playing lock at the Dragons.
Koloamatangi is due to start up front for the Kangaroos against Fiji.
Koloamatangi plans to move to Wollongong with his young family.
- Contract
- Five years, worth $5 million
- Planned Dragons role
- Ball-playing lock
- Upcoming match
- Kangaroos against Fiji on Sunday night
- Age
- 28
- New home
- Wollongong
What people are saying
The plan will be to use him as that ball-playing lock, a bit like Isaah Yeo is that link to the halves [at Penrith].
He’s been that middle forward doing a lot of hit-ups to get teams upfield.
I’ll be heading to a new club, I want to make sure if they’re watching me [Sunday night], they know they’re getting a player who will turn up for them every week for 80 minutes.
When I signed for five years, I wanted to show I was invested in the club, that I was all in, and not there for a holiday.