The Rabbitohs have announced the signing of former Knights forward Adam Elliot from free agency after reports he was seen at training this week. The South Sydney Rabbitohs recently copped a major blow having lost Kangaroos forward Keaon Koloamatangi after the star signed a five-year deal with the Dragons from 2027, which is reportedly worth around $5 million.
South Sydney are welcoming back a number of troops in 2026 after injuries devastated their recent season. Captain Cameron Murray, Cody Walker, Latrell Mitchell and Campbell Graham are all set to put an end to their injury woes and take to the field in a massive boost for the club.
And Elliot has joined the side for the upcoming season. The forward left the Knights after the 2025 season with injury also hampering his final season at the club. The lock was uncertain where he would end up in 2026, but he was seen at the training grounds at South Sydney.
Elliot will provide strong support for Murray at lock in 2026 with the Rabbitohs captain returning having only played one game for his side last year due to pre-season injury. Coach Wayne Bennett will be looking at a completely different side in 2026 with the veteran coach also handing David Fifita an opportunity to kick-start his career in Sydney.
Although the signing of Elliot for one season follows the massive news Koloamatangi will be out the door in 2027. This is a major loss for the Rabbitohs and a major win for Shane Flanagan and the Dragons.
The Rabbitohs did their best to retain Koloamatangi with a boosted deal, while Parramatta also threw their hat in the ring. However, the workhorse opted to join the Dragons’ project going forward.
“I’m excited to be joining the Dragons. The club’s ambition really impressed me,” Koloamatangi said. “I’ve been watching the squad they’re building and the young forwards coming through, and I want to be part of driving that next era. I’ve loved my time at Souths, but I am looking forward to bringing my experience, my standards and everything I’ve got to the Red V.”
🐰 CONFIRMED: Spotted at Rabbitohs training today, sources confirmed Adam Elliott has signed with the club.
Announcement to be made shortly. pic.twitter.com/Fq3NQQp2e0
— Ethan Lee Chalk (@EthanLeeChalk) January 9, 2026
Koloamatangi took his game to another level last season when Bennett threw the star into the front row. In one particular game, Koloamatangi put in an 80-minute performance where he ran for a whopping 329 metres and made 51 tackles. There were calls for Koloamatangi to play for NSW in 2025, his last appearance in Origin coming back in 2023, but he was overlooked in the series loss.
Koloamatangi represented Tonga before switching allegiances to Australia and has played a combined 14 Tests for both countries. Koloamatangi does still have one season left at the Rabbitohs and will be looking to help the side play finals footy again with Bennett looking at a talented roster for the upcoming season.
