NRL 2024: Trent Robinson opens up on David Fifita signing at Sydney Roosters, plans for new centre, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

In a candid interview, Trent Robinson has revealed the difficulty of keeping Angus Crichton at the Roosters after the big-money signing of David Fifita for 2025.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson has conceded the $3.3 million signature of David Fifita could come at the expense of in-form backrower Angus Crichton.

The admission came as Robinson said Crichton’s current form is impossible for NSW coach Michael Maguire to ignore.

In a candid interview ahead of a crucial clash with the Warriors at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, Robinson also discussed:

■ The club’s belief that Fifita, 24, is yet to play his best football;

■ The Roosters’ 2025 plan in the outside backs after missing out on the signature of Knights centre Dane Gagai;

■ The belief that Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ranks alongside the greatest props in NRL history;

■ Why this isn’t the “Last Dance” for the Roosters despite the mass exodus of players at the end of 2024.

Crichton’s future is now the subject of scrutiny following the signature of Fifita for 2025.

The Test and NSW Origin backrower is currently off-contract, but with the likes of Fifita, Egan Butcher, Siua Wong and Sitili Tupouniua also at the club in 2025, something will have to give.

Trent Robinson believes David Fifita's best years are ahead of him. Picture: NRL Images

“I think it does (make it more difficult to keep Crichton),” Robinson said of Fifita’s signing.

“I’m not naive to think that it doesn’t.

“That’s the hard thing when you’re in a club and you walk in every day, it’s the balance between the players you have and then trying to get some guys that you think can change the way you play.

“The door isn’t closed (on Crichton). He’s in the best form that he’s been in years. He’s an Australian player, he’s fighting for a back row spot in Origin, so it’s not the end of the road yet.

“There hasn’t been any negotiations or anything, but some discussions.’’

Asked if he would select Crichton in the NSW squad, Robinson replied: “I would.

“Back row has been a really interesting position in that there’s been some guys that are really putting their hand up, but none more so than Angus.

“I’m not completely sure about the other NSW backrowers, who is in the frame, but he’s in some really good form.”

SIGNING FIFITA

Robinson spoke of what he saw in pursuing the Queensland State of Origin backrower.

“He has shown his quality over a number of seasons since he was a kid,” Robinson said.

“He obviously has an effect on the opposition in the way that he runs and carries the ball and affects opposition defences and his ability to score a try on his own.

“He’s 24, the best footy is definitely ahead of him. Hence, the length (four years) of the agreement. From the ages of 25 and 29, there’s some really good years there for an NRL player.”

A name to remember – Trent Robinson has identified Robert Toia as part of the Roosters’ long-term plans in the backline. Picture: Jonathan Ng

NO GAGAI

The Roosters were unsuccessful in being able to secure Knights centre Dane Gagai, 33, on a two-year deal last week.

The ploy was in response to the departure of Joey Manu, Joseph Suaalii and Michael Jennings at the end of this season. Robinson explained the reasoning behind the chase for Gagai while revealing the club’s ambition to blood their next-generation of talent.

“We’ve got some (young) guys that we really believe in,” Robinson said.

“Billy Smith, we feel like he’s a long-term player, we’ve got some wingers (Dominic Young, Junior Pauga) already signed there, but we’ve also got a young guy (Robert Toia) who hasn’t played first grade that we believe in.

“We do want some experience (like Gagai), but we also don’t want to block the path of these 20 to 22 years-old that are coming through.’’

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves played his 300th game for the Roosters in round 10. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

THE GREAT JWH

Waerea-Hargreaves plays his 300th game for the Roosters against the Warriors to join Mitchell Aubusson (306), Anthony Minichiello (302) and Luke Ricketson (301) in the 300 club.

Robinson didn’t hold back when asked where he rates the Kiwi Test prop.

“There’s some legendary front-rowers that have played 300 games, we saw Petero (Civoniceva) play 300 games and Jared playing with the Roosters, that’s a special one for us,’’ Robinson said.

“We talked about it yesterday about how he’s done it in his style. To do it with that physicality has to rank him as one of the greatest front-rowers to have played the game.

“He’s lived a few different lives throughout that career, but all through the ‘mana’ that he lives with.’’

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves joins Petero Civoniceva as front-rowers to have played 300 NRL games. Picture: AAP Image/Action Photographics/Renee McKay

LAST DANCE

With the retirement of Waerea-Hargreaves and Luke Keary, coupled with the departures of Manu, Suaalii and Jennings, Robinson said there was a clear finish line that the 2024 Roosters were eyeing, but stopped short of declaring it their ‘Last Dance.’’

”I’d like to think it’s never the last dance at the Roosters,” Robinson said.

“I feel like we will try and future proof by development. We’ve got a really good group of recruiters who bring kids through and then go and get really high quality players.

“I never want to feel that way, but there’s a real clear finishing line for some players that we really care about and love.

“Jared playing 300 games for the Roosters is a really big thing for us and he’s finishing at the end of the year.

“I’ve spent 12 to 13 of my coaching years with him. Kez (Keary) is finishing, Joey Manu is leaving and we don’t know if he’s coming back, there’s some end points that why would you look past this year.

“We want to try and play the best footy we’ve played in years.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Trent Robinson opens up on David Fifita signing at Sydney Roosters, plans for new centre, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves