Sydney Roosters roster analysis: Off-contract stars gaining interest from rival code
With November 1 drawing nearer, a handful of off-contract Roosters players will hit the open market with plenty of interest from rival clubs – and the rival code. See every Rooster’s contract analysed.
With the R360 threat looming across the NRL and the November 1 deadline drawing nearer, the Sydney Roosters could find themselves in a battle to hold onto their top talent.
And with six players off contract at the end of the month, it’s not just R360 that poses a threat, but rugby union as a code.
Try-scoring sensation Mark Nawaqanitawase has already confirmed next season will be his last at the Roosters before making a switch back to rugby union in time to play the World Cup with the Wallabies.
A handful of other off-contract Roosters stars have either been linked to R360 or a code switch, or haven’t completely closed the door to the idea.
NSW Origin star Angus Crichton has a rugby union background, and although he hasn’t played the game in over a decade has admitted being open to the idea at the end of his contract in 2026.
With rising stars Suia Wong and Blake Steep also available to talk to rivals come November 1, the Roosters need to prioritise extending their young guns and making sure there’s funds available in the salary cap to keep them at the club.
That could affect the size of Crichton’s contract or his future at the club.
Wong has previously been a target for both Rugby Australia and the All Blacks and is also expected to field interest from the rival codes if he hits the open market.
However, both Steep and Wong will form part of the Roosters pack for the next 10 years if they stick around as the club hopes.
It’s a precarious time for the Roosters after undergoing a massive roster overhaul at the end of 2024.
They’re in the process of rebuilding for their next premiership with a young brigade of stars, including incoming NSW hooker Reece Robson and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans.
Meanwhile, Dally M Medallist James Tedesco and veteran winger Daniel Tupou are both off contract at the end of 2026.
Tedesco is expected to sign a one-year extension but Tupou’s future is more unclear at the age of 34, even though he’s still one of the top wingers in the game.
ROSTER ANALYSIS
IN LIMBO
Angus Crichton
Age: 29
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2026
At the back end of his career, the NSW Origin forward is expected to go to market on November 1 where a potential code switch is on the table, as well as interest from Perth Bears.
Mark Nawaqanitawase
Age: 25
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2026
Exploded into the NRL scene this season but unfortunately for the game, and the Roosters, it’s only for a finite period. He’s already told the club he will leave at the end of his contract to play a World Cup with the Wallabies.
James Tedesco
Age: 32
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2026
The Roosters skipper is on track to play his 300th NRL game next season, with a one-year extension in the works to keep him at the club through to 2027.
Blake Steep
Age: 20
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2026
Rising young star of the club, the Steep made his NRL debut in 2024 and played almost the entire season from the bench this season. One they want to keep.
Suia Wong
Age: 22
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2026
On a big contract until the end of 2026, he’s part of the future of the club but will require a big chunk of the salary cap to keep him. He’s previously been a target of Rugby Australia and could be a target come November 1.
Daniel Tupou
Age: 34
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2026
The veteran winger will turn 35 mid 2026 but scored 19 tries this year and finished in the top five tryscorers. There were rumours of retirement or England before his last extension, which could come to fruition at the end of next year.
FREE AGENTS
Tyler Moriarty
Age: 22
Contract status: Unsigned
Was considered the next in line for the No.9 jersey but with Reece Robson joining the club on a long-term deal his future is unclear. The door isn’t closed at the Roosters, but there’s other options to consider with clubs who might make him a bigger priority.
ON THE MOVE
Sandon Smith
Age: 22
Contract status: Set to join the Knights
It hasn’t yet been announced officially but Smith is set to join Newcastle from 2026 on a four-year deal after securing a release from the club. He will join former Roosters assistant Justin Holbrook at the Knights.
Ethan King
Age: 23
Contract status: Signed with the Cowboys
The promising young fullback will join the Cowboys from next season. He’s played three NRL games with the Roosters but couldn’t crack the NRL squad regularly. A welcome addition to the Cowboys’ depth in the outside backs.
Ethan Roberts
Age: 20
Contract status: Signed with the Tigers
He was developed through the Roosters pathways, but the rising young forward has signed two-year deal with the Tigers. He’ll be on a development deal in 2026 before moving into the top 30 in 2027.
Zach Docker-Clay (Sea Eagles)
Age: 30
Contract status: Signed with Manly
He’s bounced around a few clubs across his career, and after two seasons with the Roosters the 30-year-old utility is set to join Manly on a two-year deal as a depth signing.
LOCKED IN
Benaiah Ioelu
Age: 21
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2028
The rising young hooker slotted into the starting side mid-season, and while he’s a player they want for the future, he’ll be stuck behind Reece Robson in the No.9 job for the next four years.
Billy Smith
Age: 25
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027
After years of injury hardships, Smith is finally beginning to realise his potential as one of the best centres in the game.
Connor Watson
Age: 29
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027
Recently extended until the end of 2027, the popular utility has been worth his weight in gold for the Roosters across the past few seasons while plugging any gap in the squad.
De La Salle Va’a
Age: 20
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027
Tipped to be a star of the next generation, the 200cm, 121kg prop is being slowly introduced to the top squad and played just one game this season.
Egan Butcher
Age: 25
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027
Extended for another two years at the start of this season, the younger brother of Nat Butcher became a handy addition off the bench in 2025.
Junior Pauga
Age: 29
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027
The late bloomer was extended at the end of last year but spent most of this season sidelined with a back injury which restricted him to just eight games.
Jake Elliott
Age: 20
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027
Hasn’t yet made his NRL debut but played 20 games in NSW Cup this season for 12 try assists and five tries. Can switch between halves, hooker and lock.
Junior Tupou
Age: 23
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027
The rising young winger made a mid-season switch from the Dolphins and played just one game in round 25. A handy depth signing.
Lindsay Collins
Age: 29
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2028
A cornerstone of the Roosters, Queensland and Kangaroos packs across the past few years, the 29-year-old is nearing the end of his career but is still in peak form.
Nat Butcher
Age: 28
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027
A club favourite, super consistent and a mainstay of the pack across the past seven seasons, Butcher’s season was cut short to just four games in 2025 as he battled injury and illness.
Naufahu Whyte
Age: 23
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2029
The Roosters have struck gold with Whyte, who enjoyed a breakout 2025 season. He’s locked down long term to lad their pack alongside Lindsay Collins.
Reece Robson
Age: 27
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2029
Marquee signing for the Roosters with the incumbent NSW Origin hooker joining the club in the prime of his career on a four-year deal.
Robert Toia
Age: 21
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027
The rising young centre is coming off a massive season in 2025 where he made his NRL debut in round one and State of Origin debut with Queensland just nine weeks later.
Salesi Foketi
Age: 19
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027
A teen Bondi revelation. Foketi made his NRL debut in Round 1 and played 19 games for the Roosters, switching between middle and edge forward, starter and impact player off the bench.
Sam Walker
Age: 23
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027
The Roosters’ priority re-signing in the next 12 months. Quality halves are at a premium on the open market and with Walker set to earn about $1 million next season, he is in an ideal bargaining position.
Spencer Leniu
Age: 25
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027
The three-time premiership winner has become the impact man in the Roosters pack across the past two years. Entering the prime of his career, the NSW Origin prop earned a two-year contract extension at the end of last year.
Taylor Losalu
Age: 22
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027
Tough prop who had limited minutes in the six games he played in his debut NRL season. Averaged 100m per game in his two years in NSW Cup.
Toby Rodwell
Age: 19
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2028
Made his NSW Cup debut in 2025, playing 14 games, mostly at five-eighth. Daly Cherry-Evans’ arrival means there’s a halves logjam but Rodwell is a long-term prospect.
Victor Radley
Age: 27
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027
The Roosters considered terminating his contract in the wake of the Brandon Smith court case, but instead opted for a 10-game suspension without pay. Will need to win back the club’s trust before any talk of a contract extension.
Rex Bassingthwaighte
Age: 18
Contract status: Signed until the end of 2028
Hailing from Dubbo, the exciting young fullback is on a development deal next season before joining the top-30 squad for the following two years.
Cody Ramsey
Age: 25
Contract status: Set to sign two-year deal
The Roosters are poised to sign NSW Cup star Cody Ramsey from the Dragons, luring the fullback from St George Illawarra on the promise of a two-year deal.
RETIREE
Chad Townsend
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