The Dragons are pleased to announce that Australian Schoolboys representative Jacob Halangahu has agreed to a contract upgrade that will see him promoted into the extended NRL squad in 2025.
Putting pen to paper put a cherry on top of an already busy week for the 17-year-old who flew to the Sunshine Coast on Monday for a four-day Australian Schoolboys training camp before jetting off to Papua New Guinea for a clash against the Kumuls’ under-20s side.
“It’s pretty surreal at the moment,” Halangahu said.
“It hasn’t really sunk in. I’m over the moon to get it done... I’m [in the extended NRL squad] at the end of next year. I’ll move down to Wollongong from Sydney. Get that under my belt and then see where it goes.”
Halangahu grew up playing juniors with the Minchinbury Jets and Brothers Penrith before linking up with the Dragons to captain the Harold Matthews Cup outfit this past season.
The Patrician Brothers’ College Blacktown product is, however, unlikely to spend a tonne of time with the under-17s squad in 2024.
“I want to do up an age in SG Ball for preseason,” he said.
“Then play SG Ball, and hopefully, by the end of the year, start playing Flegg and training with Flegg.”
Halangahu’s upgrade comes just over two months after childhood friend, schoolmate, and fellow Australian Schoolboys representative Finau Latu inked an upgrade of his own with the Red V.
“It definitely is special, especially with Finau,” he said.
“Coming up with our junior footy together. He’s been like a brother to me since knee-height. To sign a deal right after him is pretty pleasing.”
Halangahu credits his family along with St George District RLFC Football Manager Kyle Stanley for the role they have played in getting him to this point.
“My family, they’re my rock. Especially, not to have all my family here because half my family’s out still representing themselves in different sports, whether it be netball or union. Just to have those couple here, it’s pretty cool,” he said.
“Kyle’s the man. Everything we need or if we need any advice, he’s definitely the person to go to. He’s definitely made the Dragons feel like a home since I’ve come.”
