NRL 2024: Sydney Roosters could have tallest backline in rugby league history

The Sydney Roosters are set to soar over their NRL rivals in 2024, with the addition of Dom Young giving them one of the tallest back fives in rugby league history.

New Sydney Roosters signing Dominic Young. Picture: Roosters digital

Individually they’re five NRL giants but together they form the Bondi Skyscrapers.

Sydney Roosters backline stars Daniel Tupou, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Joey Manu, James Tedesco and now Dominic Young will tower over their rivals this year.

The addition of the 200cm Young from Newcastle has tipped a huge advantage in favour of the Roosters.

If they line up for round one as expected, it’s the first time on record a back five will average 193.6cm (6’4” in the old measure).

Their total height of 968cm is 38.5cm more than last years total backline average, according to Fox Sports Lab data.

New Sydney Roosters signing Dominic Young. Picture: Roosters digital

Tedesco (184cm), Tupou (196cm), Suaalii (196cm), Manu (192cm) were already a part of the tallest backline in the game last season, but Young takes their advantage to new heights.

The 22-year-old Englishman scored 43 tries in 51 games for the Knights across the past three seasons, but he went to a new level in 2023.

He scored 25 tries in as many games to become one of the hottest players on the open market before signing a four-year deal with the Roosters.

There were major concerns for his health over the off-season when the star winger was hospitalised in the United Kingdom with a serious sinus infection that spread to his brain.

However, he has recovered and was officially unveiled by the Roosters on Thursday.

“When I sat down and spoke with Robbo (coach Trent Robinson), the desire he had for the club and the plans he had for me as well was something I was really excited by,” Young told the Roosters about his decision to leave the Knights.

“The Roosters are a massive club and an ambitious club as well and I think I’m an ambitious player.

Daniel Tupou, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Joseph Manu all measure in at 6’2’’ or higher. Picture: Getty Images

“I’ve always wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and moving to Sydney was a part of that too, there was a few things that combined but the culture of the club, everyone is ripping in and working hard every day, they’re probably the longest days I’ve ever seen before so you definitely can’t say we’re not working hard.

“This club plays to win premierships and that’s my goal as well.”

His try-scoring ability plus height advantage gives the Roosters a new edge in 2024 after a difficult season last year.

The average height for a backline across the NRL peaked at 931.09 back in 2021, but the combined numbers of the Roosters five is well beyond what the game has seen before.

And at any stage in the season, should Billy Smith (191cm) be subbed in for Tedesco, that total rises to an unbelievable 975cm.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Sydney Roosters could have tallest backline in rugby league history