Sam Walker rules out rugby union defection as he eyes Origin selection for Queensland

In his first interview since inking a two-year extension with the Roosters, Sam Walker opens up on the lure of rugby union and following family footsteps into the Maroons.

Murray Taulagi, Sam Walker and Jeremiah Nanai from the Queensland Maroons State of Origin team pictured arriving at the W Hotel ahead of game three at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 4th of July 2022. (Image/Josh Woning)

Sam Walker says he has no plans to follow former teammate Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to rugby union as the halfback whizkid sets his sights on a Queensland Origin jumper and Roosters premiership.

In his first interview since inking a two-year extension with the Roosters, Walker insists he has too much to achieve in rugby league to consider emulating Suaalii by quitting the NRL glamour club to wear Wallaby gold.

Suaalii is Australian rugby’s man-of-the-moment in the wake of a stunning Test debut last week that inspired the Wallabies’ 42-37 upset of England before 80,000 fans at Twickenham.

Watching a world away as he recovers from dual shoulder and knee reconstructions, Walker could have been forgiven for a touch of envy, especially given his history of playing rugby at Ipswich Grammar.

But as pleased as he is for Suaalii, Walker has unfinished business in the NRL, including winning a maiden premiership ring at the Roosters and clinching the famous Maroons jumper once worn by his uncle Chris.

Walker also opened up on the pressures of becoming the NRL’s next $1 million playmaker, insisting his best is yet to come despite twin surgeries that will delay his start to the 2025 season.

Sam Walker and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii were teammates at the Roosters before Suaalii’s defection to play rugby union. Picture: Justin Lloyd

THE RUGBY LURE

Born in Leeds during his father Ben’s playing stint in Super League, Walker is eligible for both England and Australia, but says a code defection is not on his immediate agenda.

“Obviously it (playing rugby) has crossed my mind previously, but no, it’s not something I plan to do at the moment,” Walker said.

“When I was younger, before I even came to the Roosters, I played rugby at school and I wasn’t too sure if I was going to leave union.

“But since choosing league, I’m extremely happy at the Roosters and fingers crossed I can stay here for as long as I can.”

Walker played four seasons with Suaalii at the Roosters and was rapt with the 21-year-old’s magical Wallabies debut. He hopes Suaalii becomes a giant of the 15-a-side code.

“It was awesome to see Joe do well,” he said.

“I didn’t watch the whole game but I’ve seen a few of the highlights and I was really excited for him.

“I know how hard Joe works on his craft and for him to playing for the Wallabies, just a few months after being in the NRL ... to go out on the big stage like that was something pretty special.

“People see the flashy stuff he does on TV, but there’s a lot of work he does behind the scenes, so I’m extremely happy for him.

“Joe is an awesome bloke and I know he will give 110 per cent whatever sport he is playing.”

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson (R) speaks with back Sam Walker during the captain’s run at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Picture: David Becker

BONDI RESCUE

As the hottest young playmaking talent in the game, Walker could have gone to free agency and sparked a bidding frenzy.

The 22-year-old was linked with a possible return to the Broncos given his family’s history with the club.

His father Ben and uncles Chris and Shane played a total of 222 games for Brisbane - and Walker himself came through the Broncos Academy - but the classy playmaker inked a two-year deal with the Roosters last month.

“I never really considered that (going on the open market),” he said.

“The plan was always trying to get a deal done with the Roosters.

“It’s a relief to get it out of the way now. I’m stoked to be at the club for another couple of years and fingers crossed, a few more years on top of that.

“I’ve been at the Roosters for my whole NRL career now and I want to continue that on for at least another couple of years.”

The Roosters last won a title in 2019 and Walker, who debuted in 2021, says he never considered walking out on the club, outlining his mission to bring the glory days back to Bondi.

“I would love to win a premiership with the Roosters,” he said.

“I’ve been with this club for a while now and it’s why you play the game, to win a premiership.

“We’ve lost a few players, but I would love to get us in a position where we can challenge for the title next season and in the years to follow.”

Sam Walker (R) had a taste of Origin when named in the extended squad for the Maroons in 2022. Picture: Josh Woning

MAROONS MISSION

Walker is itching to test himself in the code’s toughest arena, and the winds of change are about to sweep through Queensland’s scrumbase.

Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans turns 36 in February and the champion Queensland halfback has hinted at the 2025 series being his farewell to State of Origin.

With Tom Dearden shaping as Cameron Munster’s replacement at five-eighth, the Maroons need a succession plan for Cherry-Evans at halfback.

Walker can be a 10-year sensation in the Queensland No.7 jumper.

The Roosters schemer was hoping to break into the Origin arena next year, but concedes his knee and shoulder injuries could delay his dream of wearing Maroon.

“It’s definitely a goal of mine, playing Origin,” said Walker, who was a member of Queensland’s extended squad in 2022.

“I come from a proud line of Queenslanders.”

Walker’s speed-machine uncle Chris played six Origin games for Queensland in 2001-02, the latter year in which Sam was born.

“It would be a big honour, not just for myself, but for my family and for my friends, to represent the state where I’m from,” he said.

“I had a little taste of it a couple of years ago being in the Origin camp, and ever since then I’ve just been making sure I’m hungry to try and find myself a position.

“It’s probably going to be tough (to play Origin) next year because I probably won’t be fit until after the series is done.

“But the year after (2026) - that’s definitely a goal of mine.”

Walker injured his ACL in round 26. Picture: Getty Images

THE FIGHTBACK

Walker snapped his ACL two weeks before this year’s finals. He was gutted by the timing given it will eat into his 2025 season and most likely sideline him until at least June.

Some players are never the same after undergoing major knee surgery, but Walker plans to start running in the New Year and is confident he will not be burdened by psychological scar tissue.

“It’s been tough,” he said. “I’m on the mend now, I have just got out of the knee brace and the sling collar (around his shoulder) made it hard as well.

“It’s a bit hard to tell at the moment when I’ll be back. The plans have been around June or July, but it will just depend on how everything’s going.

“I’ll go back to training and do about a month before Christmas and try and put as much strength in my body as I can.

“After Christmas, fingers crossed I’ll start running again and I can take off from there.”

Walker takes heart from Roosters skipper Tedesco, who snapped his ACL on debut for Wests Tigers in 2012 and had stem-cell surgery two years ago.

At 31, he is still one of the NRL’s champion players.

“I’ve talked to a lot of boys that have been through this injury before, just asking questions and seeing if the things that were going on with my knee, they experienced the same things,” he said.

“Pretty much 100 per cent of the time, the other guys have gone through exactly what I’m feeling. That’s been reassuring. It takes away a bit of that stress.

“Looking back, it was poor timing for me, but I’ve had amazing support from the Roosters and good people around me.

“I know once the season comes around next year I’ll be itching it back out there and I’ll be doing everything I can to get myself back on that field as soon as possible.”

Sam Walker was man of the match when the Roosters thrashed the Dragons on Anzac Day.

THE PRESSURE

Walker’s new deal rubber-stamps him as the code’s next $1 million player.

He will be the 15th player in the league to enter the NRL’s elite Millionaire’s Club, but with the hefty pay packet comes searing expectation.

When James Tedesco retires from the Roosters, Walker is on track to become the club’s financial and playmaking kingpin. It’s a career progression he relishes.

An ice-cool performer who won the NRL’s rookie of the year gong in 2021, the kid from Ipswich isn’t feeling the heat.

“Fingers crossed my best is still to come,” he said.

“I think that each year I just want to go into the pre-seasons and do my best to better myself as much as I possibly can.”

Walker has watched Panthers maestro Nathan Cleary. The NRL’s No.1 player has steered Penrith to four consecutive titles.

Walker takes mental notes, determined to create a similar dynasty at the Roosters.

“I enjoy watching the footy, I’ll spend a lot of time watching guys,” he said.

“I’m picking up on trends and seeing how I can improve little aspects in my game.

“That’s why we play the game. We want to be there on that last day of the season and I haven’t done that yet.

“Each year I’m striving for that. I want to be there for the rest of the year and that definitely drives me as a player and I know that drives the Sydney Roosters as well.”

Nick Politis was a factor in Walker’s decision to stay at the Roosters. Picture: Rohan Kelly

POWER OF POLITIS

Roosters supremo Nick Politis is one of the most powerful men in Australian sport.

The car tycoon has been involved with the Roosters for 50 years and hasn’t become a billionaire by losing out on crunch deals in business and football.

Politis was never going to allow the Roosters to lose Walker. He got his man.

He views him as a generational playmaker and Walker says the Politis influence was a critical factor in his commitment to the Bondi cause.

“Nick’s been huge for me,” Walker said. “To have someone of his power and his stature at the top of the club, you never have to stress about what the board’s doing or what’s happening at the club. Nick has it sorted. He loves the club. It’s incredible. They’ve always got themselves in the best position that they possibly can be in.

“As footballers, that stability just makes it so easy for us. We know we just have to go out there and play football, knowing everyone else in the club is doing their job.

“It’s awesome for me to be at a club like the Roosters where we’ve got our goals aligned.”

Originally published as Sam Walker rules out rugby union defection as he eyes Origin selection for Queensland