Chris Walker believes nephew Sam can follow lead of Kalyn Ponga
No pressure, kid. Former Origin centre Chris Walker has heaped high praise on his nephew Sam, saying the freshly signed Rooster has the ability to follow Kalyn Ponga’s path.
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Former Queensland Origin centre Chris Walker believes his whizkid nephew Sam can tread the same path of young superstar Kalyn Ponga.
The 16-year-old decided against joining the Broncos this week, instead signing a $300,000 contract to move to the Sydney Roosters.
The elder Walker, who played 151 first-grade games at six clubs across a 12-year span, is adamant the Roosters recruit has the talent to play for Queensland and Australia at senior level.
“I am not being a biased uncle. I am just assessing him as someone who played NRL and Origin football,” Walker said.
“I’ve been watching the game for more than 30 years and Sam is as good as any young playmaker I have seen come through the ranks.
“Kalyn Ponga was a schoolboy sensation and in the space of a few years he has become an NRL superstar.
“I believe Sam can follow that same path.
“To make it in the NRL, 90 per cent of your success is dictated by work ethic and desire and Sam has that in spades.
“And nothing fazes him. He doesn’t get weighed down by pressure. I have no hesitation in saying he has the talent to play for Queensland and Australia because Sam is level-headed enough to work to that goal.”
Walker, who played in the Roosters’ back-to-back grand final losses in 2003-04, says Sam, who turns 18 next June, would be ready for the NRL in 2020.
“He is good enough now for the Intrust Super Cup,” Walker said.
“Sam has a lot of work to do to play NRL and I believe he will do the work to get there. I have great ties with the Roosters, they are the best fit for him.”
Maroons champion Cooper Cronk has offered to mentor Walker following the Queensland under-18s halfback’s decision to join the Roosters next season.
In a huge boost for Walker’s development, the rookie received an invitation on career guidance from Roosters halfback Cronk, widely regarded as one of the finest playmakers in the code’s 111-year history.
Cronk will retire from the NRL at season’s end and the Roosters are preparing for life after the 358-game legend, securing the promising Walker to a two-year deal with a view to turning him into an elite first grader.
While Cronk hasn’t seen too much footage of Walker, who steered the Queensland under-18s to a 34-12 defeat of NSW last week, the 35-year-old said he would be more than happy to help the teenager in his NRL journey.
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“It’s part of my job description,” said Cronk, who helped the Roosters to the premiership in his maiden season at Bondi last year.
“While we’re here to be judged on how we play and win, I’m more than happy to pass on all the information.
“As long as the kid (Walker) has a good work ethic, shows humility and is respectful to this club and what has gone on before it then I’m happy to help him out where I can.”
Originally published as Chris Walker believes nephew Sam can follow lead of Kalyn Ponga
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