Super League overseas duo to play in Championship on dual-registration

Castleford duo Mahe Fonua and Suaia Matagi have been named in Halifax’s 21-man squad to face Widnes on Monday night in the Championship.

The two clubs announced their dual-registration agreement ahead of the new season.

Fonua, 30, signed a one-year extension with the Tigers for the 2023 Super League season. He has made 30 appearances for the club to date since his move in 2022.

The centre started in the club’s opening Super League fixture against Hull, but has been dropped by head coach Lee Radford following the 32-30 defeat.

Likewise, Matagi, 34, featured from the bench at the MKM Stadium last Sunday, but has been dropped ahead of Castleford’s fixture against St Helens on Sunday.

The pair have been named in Simon Grix’s squad to take on Widnes, live on Viaplay Sports.

Last week, forward Daniel Smith featured for the Championship outfit on dual-registration against London Broncos. He was named on the bench in the 26-18 home victory.

Youngsters Elliot Wallis and Bailey Dawson have also been included in Midlands Hurricanes’ 21-man squads to face Hull Dockers in the Challenge Cup. 

Halifax 21-man squad: Calcott, Doro, Fairbank , Fonua, Gee, Inman, Jouffret, Kavanagh, Keys, Maher, Maizen, Matagi, McComb, Moore, Murray, Saltonstall, Tangata, Tibbs, Walmsley, Wood, Woodburn-Hall.

Elsewhere in the Championship

Barrow Raiders have been boosted by the arrivals of Amir Bourouh and James Greenwood on short-term deals ahead of their trip to York on Sunday.

The Super League duo join Paul Crarey’s squad on an initial one-week loans.

Hull’s Matty Laidlaw and Nick Staveley have joined Championship outfit Newcastle Thunder on dual-registration.

Chris Thorman’s side face promotion-favourites Featherstone on Sunday in Round Four of the Championship campaign.

The Super League pair join fellow Black & White team-mate Denive Balmforth, who is already with Thunder on loan.

Meanwhile, Leeds’ Liam Tindall and James McDonnell have joined Bradford on dual-registration ahead of their fixture with Toulouse.

Mark Dunning’s side host the French outfit on Saturday, with a 1pm kick-off at Odsal Stadium.

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