‘Oops, sorry Ted’: Roosters rookie lives out childhood dream and can only laugh after fending club legend away with his first touch

It’s been a long road to the NRL for Robert Toia, but he’s finally made it and showed why he’s seen as a future Roosters star.

It’s hard to get excited when your team has just conceded 50 points in round 1, but Roosters fans can at least celebrate Robert Toia not only making his debut after a hellish injury run but also looking the goods with a couple of classy touches.

The 20-year-old has been touted as a future star, with high hopes for Toia in 2025 given the Roosters are without Joseph Manu and Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii who have both gone off to rugby.

The young man has battled two serious knee injuries and a fractured jaw in the lower grades, but he’s finally in the NRL and impressing people in high places after an encouraging debut where he had two try assists and six tackle busts.

Trent Robinson was delighted with what he saw from Robert Toia on debut. Picture: NRL Photos

“I thought Rob and the other two debutants were outstanding,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson said.

“He really worked hard defensively and he moved well and got in on tackles when most of them would run back.

“When he touches the ball, some things happen. I’d like to double his touches if we could get more ball to him. You can see in a little space that he’ll create opportunities.”

Toia grew up supporting the Roosters and said in the sheds after the game that he’d always pretend to be James Tedesco when he was playing with his siblings.

He not only got to debut alongside the club legend, but he also had an awkward moment just minutes into the contest when he made a break and fended Tedesco away thinking he was a Broncos defender.

What a way for the Roosters to kick off 2025!

Robert Toia... that is CLASS 🔥👏

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“It was a dream come true, it was surreal and I still can’t believe it,” Toia beamed after the game.

“It was actually funny because obviously I assumed it was a Broncos player. Then I saw Teddy and I said ‘oops, sorry Ted’.

“That was my first touch as well, so I couldn’t have dreamt of a better first touch in the NRL.

“(The boys) were cheering me on and said ‘this is your time’.”

Toia looks to have the right centre spot locked in for the rest of the season, with the young gun thanking Robinson and the club for believing in him during the toughest period of his life as he battled injury after injury.

“I’ve followed the club since I was young, so for the club and Robbo to have that trust in me meant the world,” he said.

“This was a show of gratitude and hopefully many more to come.

“I had to pinch myself (when he told me I was playing). I didn’t want to assume anything, so when he gave me the green light, I was in awe.

“It was a very tough period.

“It was definitely the toughest time in my life, but I credit my family, my parents, my partner and the club for the support they gave me the whole way through.

“I was away from home most of the time, but every time the club sent me back throughout my injuries, seeing my family at home (helped so much).

“They didn’t really care about my injuries, they just loved me for me.

“The body now is the best I’ve felt in a while.”

Originally published as ‘Oops, sorry Ted’: Roosters rookie lives out childhood dream and can only laugh after fending club legend away with his first touch