Raiders sign Jaiyden Hunt and Lipoi Hopoi for 2027 NRL season
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 24, 2026, 7:12 AM
Last updated Sep 24, 2026

The Canberra Raiders have announced the signings of Jaiyden Hunt and Lipoi Hopoi for the 2027 NRL season. Both players are set to join the team as part of a significant roster overhaul following the departures of key forwards like Josh Papalii, Morgan Smithies, and Corey Horsburgh. Hunt, a veteran from the Broncos, and Hopoi, who has played for the Bulldogs, have each signed two-year contracts. Raiders recruitment manager Chris Hutchison expressed confidence in their potential contributions to the team. The club hopes these additions will help bounce back from a disappointing 2026 season.
- •Raiders confirm signings of Jaiyden Hunt and Lipoi Hopoi for 2027.
- •Hunt brings experience from the Broncos, while Hopoi had 17 matches with Bulldogs.
- •Both players signed two-year contracts until at least the end of 2028.
- •Raiders lost significant players like Josh Papalii and Morgan Smithies after 2026.
- •Chris Hutchison believes both players will provide value and improve the squad.
- 7:12 AMZero Tackle NRL — Canberra Raiders confirm triple re-signing
- 4:51 AMZero Tackle NRL — Raiders strengthen forward pack for 2027, confirm TWO new signings
"The Raiders have two more locked in for next year.
"Two of the three have made their NRL debuts
Sources
External links- Zero Tackle NRLSep 24, 2026, 7:12 AMCanberra Raiders confirm triple re-signing
Two of the three have made their NRL debuts
- Zero Tackle NRLSep 22, 2026, 4:51 AMRaiders strengthen forward pack for 2027, confirm TWO new signings
The Raiders have two more locked in for next year.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
NRL•Nov 7, 2026, 1:10 AMAsofa-Solomona explains his explosive reaction after post-fight altercation
NRL•Nov 7, 2026, 12:18 AMCowboys forward returns to former club for 2027
NRL•Nov 6, 2026, 11:10 PMDetails of Nathan Cleary’s astonishing Wests Tigers contract offer revealed
NRL•Nov 6, 2026, 10:27 PMTonga suffer brutal blow with star injured ahead of World Cup semi final
NRL•Nov 6, 2026, 8:21 PMWhy Kiwis camp is laying foundation for Melbourne Storm recovery- NRL•Nov 6, 2026, 10:24 AMEngland beat Ireland to top Wheelchair World Cup group
