The Bulldogs‘ summer recruitment drive has been dealt a blow after Siosiua Taukeiaho failed a medical with the club.
According to Nine NRL reporter Danny Weidler, Taukeiaho’s check-up revealed a serious foot issue.
“First of all, he didn’t have a release from his overseas club, but a bigger issue is that he had a medical with the Bulldogs last week and he failed that,” Weidler told 9News Sydney.
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“He’s got a foot injury that is going to require surgery. That will keep him out for the off-season and into next year.”
Taukeiaho’s failed medical with the Bulldogs came as his current club, English Super League side Catalans Dragons, refused to grant him a release.
The 31-year-old was hoping to return to the NRL this season after spending a season with Catalans.
He possesses a wealth of NRL experience having played 167 games for the Roosters between 2014 and 2022.
Taukeiaho was initially expected to join Kurt Mann, Drew Hutchinson, Jake Turpin and Poasa Faamausili as the Bulldogs’ recruits in what has been a busy off-season for the club.