Yeds bolster pack with PNG powerhouse Waine

Oldham are delighted to announce the signing of Papua New Guinea international Emmanuel Waine for the 2026 Betfred Championship season.

The former Bradford Bulls forward joins Roughyeds on a one-year deal, having ended the 2025 season in Super League with Salford Red Devils.

"This feels like the right move for me," Waine told Roughyeds TV.

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 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 link up with pre-season training at the Netpar Training Centre immediately this week to meet his new team-mates and the 28-year-old cannot wait to get going.

"Looking at the squad it is a really good one to be a part of. It will be good for me to play alongside these guys.

My style of rugby is just to run as hard as I can and get the team forward. That is my job. Run and tackle!

I am a family man and love to spend my time with family. I don't talk much and just enjoy being around my family and friends."

Oldham Director of Rugby Mike Ford said:

"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.

He wanted to stay at the Bulls but they couldn't quite fit him in on the salary cap for Super League which presented an opportunity for us to sign him. He is very hungry to prove that he is worth more than a one-year deal and we can't wait to see what he can do in an Oldham shirt."