Oldham is delighted to announce the signing of Papua New Guinea international Emmanuel Waine for the 2026 Betfred Championship season.
Papua New Guinea Kumuls international Emmanuel Waine has been released by Bradford Bulls as he moves on to join Oldham Rugby League Football Club for the 2026 Betfred Championship in England.
Waine has signed a one-year deal with Oldham. The club announced in a statement that Waine is glad for the move.
“This feels like the right move for me,” Waine said.
“Last year I was with Bradford, and I feel ready for Super League. Oldham is the perfect opportunity for me to come and prove that in the Championship. I’m really excited to be part of this team and to try to get up to Super League with Oldham. I know that is the aim, for the club and for me personally. I didn’t play against Oldham last year, but I was impressed with the way they played, and that gave me great confidence to sign with this club.”
Waine will join pre-season training at the Netpar Training Centre immediately this week to meet his new teammates, and the 28-year-old cannot wait to get started.
“Looking at the squad, it is a really good one to be part of. It will be good for me to play alongside these guys,” he added.
“My style of rugby is just to run as hard as I can and help the team move forward. That is my job run and tackle! I am a family man and love to spend time with my family. I don’t talk much; I just enjoy being around my family and friends.”
Oldham Director of Rugby Mike Ford said Waine’s inclusion will bring something different to the team.
“Manu offers us something different, which is his carrying of the football and the power he generates. He will bend the line backwards to get us on the front foot,” Ford said.
“He wanted to stay at the Bulls, but they couldn’t quite fit him under the salary cap for Super League, which presented an opportunity for us to sign him.”
Bulls club CEO Jason Hirst announced Waine’s release in a statement.
“Having been signed ahead of the 2025 season by our then Head Coach, Emmanuel has, unfortunately, found first-team playing opportunities difficult to come by,” Hirst said.
“As such, we have mutually agreed to release him from the final year of his contract in order for him to take up a playing opportunity at another club in the UK.
We will continue to support him during his transition to his new club, with everyone at Bradford Bulls hoping and expecting it will result in more regular first-team action.
Both personally and on behalf of our club, I would like to thank Emmanuel for his contribution to the Bradford Bulls in 2025 and wish him, his wife, and young family all the very best both on and off the field, in 2026 and beyond. It’s been a pleasure to meet and get to know him over the last 12 months.”
