NRL 2024: Sydney Roosters vow to honour Sam Walker offer despite ACL injury | Market watch
Storm recruitment guru Paul Bunn has declared Stefano Utoikamanu will thrive in Melbourne, while also revealing the club is in talks to extend Ryan Papenhuyzen. See the latest transfer news.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Melbourne Storm guru who signed Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes has declared Wests Tigers recruit Stefano Utoikamanu will prove to be “enormous” for the club.
Utoikamanu has just 80-minutes of his career at the Tigers remaining after making the polarising call to request a release from his contract at the end of this season.
The 24-year-old prop has been named to start against the Eels in the wooden spoon bowl on Friday night.
After fielding interest from the Dragons and Raiders, the powerful prop chose to join the Storm on a three-year deal from 2025.
Ever since signing, Utoikamanu has been panned by sections of the Tigers supporter base for his form this season.
However in sobering news for Tigers supporters, Paul Bunn, the Melbourne Storm head of Storm recruitment, offered a word of warning about the front-rower’s potential.
“He’ll improve enormously under Craig’s tutelage and the rest of the coaches,” Bunn said on SEN’s Joel Caine and Bryan Fletcher.
“He’s got so much upside.
“He was another kid, like most of them at Storm, they just want to be coached by Craig.
“They want to be in the system. Craig and Frank (Ponissi) have built a really good system.
“And players will take unders to stay with us, or become part of the Storm or coached by Craig.
Bunn added that the club were in promising talks to re-sign star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen.
“We’re hoping to continue with Paps longer than his present contract,” Bunn said.
“It’s pretty positive all our chats. Matt Tripp (Storm chairman) is involved as well.
“He’s a great salesperson, he’s passionate about what he does, so he’s given me a hand with the big dogs in Harry (Grant) and Paps.”
ROOSTER’S CONTRACT PROMISE AMID ACL RUPTURE
—Brent Read and Michael Carayannis
The Sydney Roosters have vowed to honour the two-year deal they have already tabled to Sam Walker as they brace to be without their star half for the opening months of next year.
Walker, who has 12 months left on his existing contract, has been locked in negotiations with the Roosters over a new deal as the club looks to keep him out of the clutches of their rivals.
The club had weighed in with an extension worth upwards of $1.8 million in a sign of how keen they are to retain the 22-year-old, who has taken his game to another level this season.
That deal, which would ensure he remained a Roosters player until the end of 2027, remains on the table and the club has no plans to remove it even though Walker suffered a knee injury at the weekend that brought a premature end to this season.
The Roosters confirmed on Monday afternoon that Walker had ruptured his left ACL and would undergo reconstructive surgery later this week, meaning he will be sidelined for the opening months of next season.
While some rival clubs may have opted to put talks on hold given the situation - or potentially withdraw their offer - the Roosters remain determined to keep Walker at the club for the foreseeable future.
Sources confirmed on Monday afternoon that they remain committed to retaining him and there were no plans to pull their offer.
Walker has been a fixture in the side this season, making 21 appearances and contributing 21 try assists and 16 line break assists.
After spending time in lower grades in recent seasons, he has taken charge of the Roosters attack and helped them become the most prolific side in the competition.
Their challenge now is to find a way forward without a player who has been at the heart of everything good they have done in 2024.
Luke Keary is set to take on significantly more responsibility while coach Trent Robinson must decide whether to use Joey Manu or Sandon Smith in the halves.
Former South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou believes the Roosters need to pick their best defensive side, which would likely mean that Manu moves to the halves - they should get Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii back from injury this week while Billy Smith and Robert Toia have returned in recent weeks.
The Roosters also have rugby union convert Mark Nawaqanitawase up their sleeve.
“I think you play your best defensive team,” Demetriou said on Triple M’s Monday Scrum.
“They have points out there …. but you have to defend well. If Manu at six gives them a better defensive option, that is probably the better way to go.
“These guys, they are season pros. They know how to adapt. The beauty they have got is they have a week this week against Souths to see what they want it to look like.
“At least you have another round to get that right before the finals.”
Best 17, rookies to watch: Bulldogs primed for premiership charge
There’s something special about Canterbury heading into 2025. PAMELA WHALEY breaks down the issues facing the club, the rookies to watch and more in our deep dive into the Bulldogs.
Milford signs with Brisbane Broncos feeder club
Former Broncos and Dolphins playmaker Anthony Milford has made a last-ditch effort to revive his NRL career, signing with one of Brisbane’s feeder clubs.