As part of a series profiling the expected Round 1 sides for all 17 NRL clubs in 2023, the Roosters should again be title contenders.
Angus Crichton has emerged as a major doubt for the Roosters’ start to the season after it was revealed that the Kangaroos backrower had missed several weeks of pre-season after being granted personal leave.
He was given time off to deal with off-field issues and he did not play in the Chooks’ first trial.
As has been the case for most of Trent Robinson’s decade-long tenure as coach, he is not short of options for the Roosters to be a premiership force.
Now that Joey Manu is rivalling James Tedesco as the best fullback in the world and Joseph Suaalii is keen to make his mark in the No.1 jersey, Robinson has a battle on his hands keeping his stars happy.
Veteran five-eighth Luke Keary could end up being the unlucky odd man out if Robinson wants to get Manu into more of a playmaker role.
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Despite losing plenty of experience in the off-season to rival clubs and the Super League, the Tricolours should again be there when the whips are cracking in the finals.
Brandon Smith. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Who’s new?
Storm star Brandon Smith was in the headlines last off-season for his controversial podcast comments indicating he was heading to the Roosters. His form was not up to its usual standard in 2022 at Melbourne and now that he finally has a chance to sew up a No.9 jersey of his own, he could be a difference-maker at the Roosters.
The Roosters have also added Jake Turpin as a dummy-half option after he was unwanted by the Broncos, while Jaxson Paulo (Rabbitohs) and Corey Allan (Bulldogs) have been added to boost the depth in the outside backs.
Who’s gone?
Sam Verrills saw the writing on the wall when Smith was signed so he linked with the Titans while veteran prop Siosiua Taukeiaho has joined Catalans Dragons, along with utility Adam Keighran.
Utility back Kevin Naiqama has also headed to the Super League, signing with Huddersfield while prop Daniel Suluka-Fifita (Rabbitohs), and English centre Oliver Gildart (to the Dolphins after a late-season loan deal from the Wests Tigers) are also no longer at the Roosters.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Key spots to unlock
Bench utility Connor Watson will miss a large chunk of the season after suffering a patella tendon injury at training. Brandon Smith will get first crack at hooker and with Watson out, Drew Hutchison or Turpin are in contention to be his back-up off the bench.
Centre has been a problem spot for the Roosters in recent seasons. Joey Manu is arguably the best in the world while the other spot is set to go to Joseph Suaali’i with Trent Robinson keen to move his teen prodigy closer to the action from the wing. Billy Smith is again injured and is due back mid-season from a knee complaint.
Luke Keary deserves to be given five-eighth duties but long term, Manu could be a better option.
Angus Crichton may be out for Round 1 after requesting to take personal leave from the club. Fellow second-rower Sitili Tupouniua is rehabbing a knee injury so Nat Butcher should step into the run-on team.
Round 1 predicted team
1 James Tedesco
2 Daniel Tupou
3 Paul Momirovski
4 Joseph Manu
5 Joseph Suaali’i
6 Luke Keary
7 Sam Walker
8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
9 Brandon Smith
10 Lindsay Collins
11 Nat Butcher
12 Joshua Wong
13 Victor Radley
Interchange
14 Drew Hutchison
15 Egan Butcher
16 Terrell May
17 Fletcher Baker
Other squad members: Angus Crichton, Sitili Tupouniua, Connor Watson, Billy Smith (injured), Corey Allan, Jake Turpin, Jaxson Paulo, Naufau Whyte, Robert Toia, Tukupa Hau Tapuha.
Chris
Guest
The next man up thing at the Roosters, is all crap. As when it’s the next man bought , what a great credit to the Roosters that is! ????
Chris
Guest
Players who want to test the market, are doing it to up their new contract amount . If they think that they’ll get better offers? In Mitchell’s case , he was never staying, as he wanted to be fullback. Crichton did it at Penrith too. So Penrith went about making other players a priority, before coming back to make Crichton another offer. By then he had his nose out of joint & had signed with the Bulldogs. Then claiming that he felt slighted by the Panthers not coming back quicker , to make him a bigger offer. Can’t blame the clubs either , for turning their backs on players. Who just don’t accept offers & hang out for bigger money offers , or to play where they want.
Conelius
Guest
They won the 2019 premiership with two Souths rejects with Keary and Crichton
mushi
Roar Guru
It's almost like it's professional sport
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Yeah, just had a look at ladders to check that. From '21 to '22 Chooks dropped one place from 5 to 6 - with their points differential increasing by +60. Bunnies dropped 4 places from 4 to 7, with their points differential plummeting by -192. It's difficult to see how this translates to Roosters going down the table and Bunnies going up.... maybe if you're looking at the ladder upside down...?
mushi
Roar Guru
Cody Walker in the Souths we'd take over Walker v Keary debate.
Slammin_Sam
Roar Rookie
Willy i reckon you should stop worrying about the roosters and try and win something...one premiership in 50 years...thats a bloody long time between drinks even for someone that owns three houses worth 10 mill....
Chris
Guest
What do you mean? Sam Walker hasn’t been involved in any Grand Final Win for the Roosters at all .
Rellum
Roar Guru
If they stay fit a big chance to win it all
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Dufty
Justin
Guest
The squad management at the Roosters , is called ‘spend whatever is needed’. Get away with whatever the NRL allows
Chris
Guest
The Roosters supporters are always talking about the top coaching & next man up at the club. Yet , the next man up is usually a bought player. Then Momirovski was obviously better coached at Penrith.
Slammin_Sam
Roar Rookie
cue...Hey big spender........
Chris
Roar Rookie
Pride of the Past ;)
Chris
Roar Rookie
Slightly more concerned with Penrith and Parramata.. Good know Souths are still here :)
Poss
Roar Rookie
Absolutely Joister :thumbup:
Poss
Roar Rookie
Yeah true Mushi.. :thumbup:
William W
Roar Rookie
You are an !di0t
mushi
Roar Guru
Also Keary though I suppose he and Walker have played pivotal roles in grand final wins the past 5 years
mushi
Roar Guru
Ah so you equate the two and therefore admit that souths in your view lack guts and passion?