Sam Walker’s State of Origin debut is being tipped to be an audition for a new Roosters contract. And if it doesn’t pan out well it might convince the NRL club to make an audacious bid to sign Nathan Cleary.
Walker and Cleary are both off contract at the end of 2027, and speculation is rife as to what Cleary will do. Rumours that the Roosters are interested in Cleary won’t go away, but what it means for Walker remains to be seen.
Nathan Cleary (L) and Sam Walker (middle right) are both off contract for 2028, while Connor Watson (far right) is expected to depart the Roosters early. Image: Getty
Discussing the situation on NRL 360 on Tuesday night, David Riccio said a State of Origin series victory would go a long way to convincing the Roosters to re-sign Walker. “I feel as though they want to see Sam deliver in the big games and they went out the back door of the semi-finals last year,” Riccio said.
“He’s done a remarkable job to come back from injury and be in this position (to debut for Queensland), but as we go towards November 1 if it’s on the back of a winning Origin series it’s going to put the Roosters in a position. Are they going to lock down this guy long-term, who’s currently on about $1 million, and reinvest into Sam Walker, or are they going to walk away? In many ways this could be career-defining for Sam Walker.”
Sam Walker is set for his State of Origin debut for Queensland.
(Bradley Kanaris via Getty Images)
Paul Crawley added: “You don’t think the fact they are holding off has anything to do with the bloke coming off contract at the same time, Nathan Cleary? We’ve seen it before with Mitchell Pearce moved on for Cooper Cronk to come in.
“When you look at the fact that Nathan Cleary is coming off contract and is available to talk to rival clubs (from November) and has made the suggestion that he wants to see what’s out there. Everyone expects the Roosters to jump on board.”
Connor Watson set to sign with two new NRL teams
In other Roosters contract news, utility man Connor Watson is reportedly set to sign with PNG for 2028 after a one-year stopover at the Dragons. Watson recently toured Port Moresby with PNG Chiefs officials, and is expected to join the new team that already has Jarome Luai and Alex Johnston.
Watson is contracted until the end of 2027, but the Roosters are reportedly open to allowing him to leave if he finds a new club for next season. According to Zero Tackle, he’ll be at St George Illawarra in 2027 to help their rebuild.
The Dragons have already signed Scott Drinkwater, Luke Metcalf, Keaon Koloamatangi and Phillip Sami for 2027. Watson would be another valuable piece, capable of playing hooker, halves or lock.
Connor Watson is on his way out of the Roosters.
(Hannah Peters via Getty Images)