Roosters lock up future pack leader Leniu with $200k pay rise

The Sydney Roosters are deep in conversations to extend Spencer Leniu, who is only currently signed with the tricolours through to the end of the next NRL season, after his boom first season in Bondi.

Leniu is expected to re-sign with the Roosters on a three-year deal that would instantly catapult him into the top earners in the front row, The Sporting Base has heard.

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The bench forward, who has been lethal for the Roosters in his impact role, is currently thinking about signing a deal worth around $800,000 a season. This would be on top of the State of Origin paydays he’s very likely to continue earning; he’s already proven he’s a solid weapon for the Blues as their plan now turns to defending the shield.

Sydney coach Trent Robinson is another big admirer and wants him long-term.

The biggest reason the Chooks have already opened the books and inched towards having the 23-year-old signing is because he can speak to clubs as soon as November 1—he’s off-contract in a hair over 12 months.

Talks from within the Bondi structure are that Leniu will be the ready-made Jared Waerea-Hargraves replacement. The New Zealand star is heading to the Super League at the end of 2024 and the Roosters want to ensure the contingency plan has no waiting period. Leniu would immediately move into a starting role.

This contract extension will also see him earn more than $200,000 more than his current deal.

There was some early interest from several other NRL clubs, with Shane Flanagan at the Dragons, in particular, ranking him very highly, but the Penrith product was unlikely to move anywhere else now that he’s settled in with the tricolours this year.

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The only hope now will be that Leniu can play the majority of the season for the Roosters from next year after this season saw him sidelined for a huge chunk early on after he levelled a racist slur at Ezra Mam.