The Sydney Roosters are getting ready to splash a hefty pile of cash in the NRL players market as a half-dozen bonafide tricolours stars prepare to hang up the boots or move on to England and rugby union.
First up is a replacement for Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii, which is quickly shaping into one target: Broncos gamebreaker Selwyn Cobbo, who Trent Robinson is interested in.
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“[We’re] always looking at the high-quality players. I know his ability to play a few different positions is key, but we’re also on a path there with some of our young centres,” the Roosters boss said after being asked about the interest by the Sydney Morning Herald this week.
The wing and centre roles are far from the only priority in Bondi either. With Luke Keary just announcing he’ll play out the 2024 season before calling time and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (England) and likely Angus Crichton (rugby) and Daniel Tupou (potential retirement) out the door in November, lots of positions need filling.
The Sporting Base has yet to hear any names mentioned beyond Cobbo’s and one early rule-out; Robinson isn’t interested in Lachlan Ilias, who has been forced out after the Rabbitohs signed St Helens halfback Lewis Dodd.
Instead, the Roosters are putting their chips on Sandon Smith to play alongside Sam Walker.
The biggest names off contract at the end of 2024 include Dane Gagai (who has already been teed up as one option), as well as Anthony Milford, Jordan McLean, Adam Doeuihi, Elliott Whitehead, Liam Knight, and Dragons trio Jack de Belin, Jayden Su’A, and Tyrell Sloan. While all would be solid pickups, none stand out as the usual star Roosters signings.
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Right now, Sydney’s biggest focus is the 2024 NRL campaign, where they are running fourth with a 5-4 record. They blew the Brisbane Broncos away 40-18 tonight in a barnstorming victory.
