After scoring a try on debut for South Sydney Rabbitohs and representing our Junior Kiwis, the Bunnies have extended the contract of Siosifa Talakai until 'at least the end of the 2019 season'. Talakai is joined in the Rabbitohs' re-signing trifecta announced yesterday by youngster Mawene Hiroti who is equally as intriguing in regards to his #KiwiNRL status and rugby league future as Talakai.

Still just 19-years-old, Talakai was born in Sydney and is a Mascots Jets junior which is the same club as another Junior Kiwis rep and Bulldogs outside back Reimis Smith. Funnily enough, Smith also scored in his NRL debut which means that both Mascot juniors scored on debuts and represented the Junior Kiwis.

Clearly Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire has a soft spot for Talakai and as the Rabbitohs look to re-establish themselves among the NRL's top tier, there's a fair chance that the development of Talakai reflects the trajectory of the Bunnies. Aaron Gray's injury at the Nines could open up a cheeky avenue for Talakai to get game time in the centres, yet he's capable of playing as mobile edge forward as well.

The combination of his stocky frame and mobility could give the Rabbitohs an interesting bench option as they are well stocked with centres and Talakai's utility value makes him the perfect bloke to have there. With John Sutton and Kyle Turner likely to hold down edge spots, Talakai will have to sit behind them on the pecking order.

We're all waiting to see whether Kalyn Ponga will pick Aotearoa or Australia and Hiroti looks destined to face a similar decision. A talented outside back who represented Australia Schoolboys last year, Hiroti and his whanau (his brother Haimoana is also with the Bunnies) moved from Taranaki to Sydney to further their rugby league dream.

He finished as the top try-scorer in the SG Ball competition and only played six games for the Rabbitohs' Under 20s side, enough to see him get further attention in the fulltime NRL squad this summer. Last year Ponga ruled himself out of the Junior Kiwis vs Junior Kangaroos game to allow him more time to decide on his international future and with Hiroti set to establish himself in the Under 20s, I suspect we'll see him ride with the Junior Kiwis this year.