Raiders make play for Paulo

Reports have emerged Parramatta front rower Junior Paulo is off to the Canberra Raiders in 2017, inking a 2-year deal with the Green Machine.

In his fourth season with the blue-and-golds and having made 43 appearances so far, the 119kg Paulo will see out the season at the Eels before making the move to the national capital in time for the 2017 NRL pre-season.

Fairfax reports that the signing is likely to be made official by the Raiders sometime in the coming fortnight, once the now infamous 'cooling-off period' has passed.

The club has also dismissed suggestions Sisa Waqa would be released early from his contract to take up rugby union in France, with the winger key to the current depth in the Raiders' backline.