By Michael Chammas
NSW State of Origin hooker Reece Robson will join the Sydney Roosters on a four-year deal from 2026 after informing the North Queensland Cowboys he will depart at the end of next season.
“We’re pleased to have secured Reece’s signature and look forward to welcoming him to the Roosters in 2026,” Roosters head of recruitment Daniel Anderson said in a statement.
NSW State of Origin hooker Reece Robson will join the Sydney Roosters.Credit: Getty
In one of the biggest signings of the off season, the Roosters have flexed their muscle in a move that all but spells the end of Brandon Smith’s time at the club.
Smith joined the Roosters in 2023 and is not contracted beyond the 2025 season. He will miss a large chunk of the year through injury and his agent has begun seeking expressions of interest from rival clubs.
Robson made his NRL debut with St George Illawarra in 2018 and has been a fixture at the Cowboys since 2020, earning Origin selection last year and playing five matches for NSW across the past two series.
He started in the No.9 jersey for NSW in all three matches this year as the Blues regained the Origin trophy in a 2-1 series win and was included in the Kangaroos squad for the Pacific Championships.
Reece Robson in action for the Blues.Credit: Getty Images
North Queensland offered Robson a three-year deal to try and keep him in Townsville. However, the Cowboys were unable to compete financially given their previous investment in players like Tom Dearden, Jeremiah Nanai, Heilum Luki and Scott Drinkwater.
“We tabled our best possible offer, but unfortunately were not able to compete with the final offer Reece received,” Cowboys general manager of football Micheal Luck said. “Reece now has a young family and we respect his decision.
“He will continue to be an important member of our squad for 2025 and we look forward to his contributions in his final season at the club.”
Robson’s signing is a much-needed coup for the Roosters, who recently missed out on the signature of Ben Hunt after the Dragons captain decided to return to the Brisbane Broncos.
The Roosters also recently gave permission to prop Terrell May to explore options at rival clubs immediately, resulting in the front-rower inking a more lucrative and longer-term deal to join Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva at the Wests Tigers.
The Roosters are in the middle of a significant roster overhaul after losing Luke Keary (Super League), Joseph Manu (Japanese rugby), Joseph Suaalii (Wallabies), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Super League) and Sitili Tupouniua (Bulldogs) since the season ended.
They will also be without Brandon Smith and halfback Sam Walker for a large part of the 2025 season due to injuries the pair both sustained against the Canberra Raiders in the penultimate round of the year.