The Daily Telegraph\u2019s Phil Rothfield <\/a>previously reported Roosters boss Nick Politis was eyeing off a move for Ponga.<\/p>\nMeanwhile, veteran journalist Andrew Webster revealed in March that the Roosters\u2019 interest in Ponga is legitimate, with the glamour club keen to make a massive play for his services.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe bigger story out of this is what it means for Kalyn Ponga and his future. He\u2019s got two years to run at the Knights,\u201d Webster said on SEN\u2019s Morning Glory.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe thing I want to make clear today, there\u2019s been all this talk that Kalyn Ponga to the Roosters is speculative because of his relationship with Roosters recruitment manager Clint Zammit, well take it to the absolute bank that it\u2019s more than that.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is on.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Roosters are definitely looking at trying to get Ponga there from 2028-onwards and it\u2019s all part of a bigger rebuild at that club.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tedesco\u2019s contract announcement included the phrase, \u201cuntil the end of 2027\u201d, which hints his contract has options, but it remains to be seen in whose favour.<\/p>\n
These journalist\u2019s claims were also made before Tedesco had a stellar 2025 campaign, winning the Dally M Medal and he\u2019s tipped to win back his NSW jersey next year.<\/p>\n
But still, a switch for Ponga in 2028 could be on the cards \u2014 especially when you consider the potential players departing and how much cap space they will have available. <\/p>\n
Could Kalyn Ponga end up a Rooster?Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
WHO\u2019S GOING?<\/p>\n
Mark Nawaqanitawase is the sole departure, as it stands, at the end of the 2026 season, which is a huge blow for the Roosters.<\/p>\n
The gun winger has been revelation in the NRL, but will make the move back to Rugby Australia ahead of the 2027 World Cup.<\/p>\n
But he could be back \u2014 potentially in 2028. <\/p>\n
A report that emerged this week which will worry Roosters fans relates to gun forward Angus Crichton.<\/p>\n
Crichton was the game\u2019s best back rower in 2024 and he backed it up with another decent season this year.<\/p>\n
However, he\u2019s considering a code switch according to the SMH, with Japanese rugby said to be interested as well as teams from Australia\u2019s Super Rugby competition. <\/p>\n
Crichton, who became a free agent on November 1 as he comes off contract at the end of 2026, is reportedly leading towards a move to union. <\/p>\n
If he decides to stay in rugby league, it will be with the Roosters, but the allure of union is really appealing to Crichton. <\/p>\n
While it will be a massive blow for the Roosters, who have had to bid farewell to several of their experienced players over the past two years, it would clear $800,000 a year off the club\u2019s salary cap.<\/p>\n
That would give the Roosters some ammo to chase a star forward to fill Crichton\u2019s void.<\/p>\n
In terms of retention, there hasn\u2019t been a stack of movement on that front although they have locked down a few young guns long term, the most notable name of those being lock forward Blake Steep.<\/p>\n
Steep was relied on heavily in 2025 and impressed in what was basically his first full season of first grade. <\/p>\n
STATE OF THE OUTSIDE BACKS<\/p>\n
While the Roosters unearthed a gem in centre Rob Toia in 2025, there has been a bit of turnover in the outside backs of late.<\/p>\n
As mentioned above, Mark Nawaqanitawase was another Roosters outside back who starred in 2025 as the club were able to do a good job of filling the massive voids left by Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii. Manu, by the way is also off contract at the end of 2027, with French rugby union club Racing 1992; making him another potential option to replace Tedesco.<\/p>\n
The emergence of Toia and Nawaqanitawase meant the Roosters were willing to let Ethan King walk in free agency, with King signing with North Queensland.<\/p>\n
Billy Smith was solid with the oft-injured centre recording a personal best for games played in a season (18).<\/p>\n
Veteran winger Daniel Tupou continues to amaze as a 34-year-old and he\u2019s a lock to start 2026 on one wing next year in what could be his final season.<\/p>\n
While the Roosters appear to be in decent shape for 2026, with Nawaqanitwase, Tupou (wings), Toia and Smith (centres) slated to be the team\u2019s first choice outside back grouping, beyond next year there are more questions than answers.<\/p>\n
Nawaqanitawase will be gone while Tupou may likely be retired. <\/p>\n
There is talent waiting in the wings though. <\/p>\n
Junior Pauga impressed in a handful of NRL games in 2024 but was injured for the majority of this year and didn\u2019t feature in the top grade.<\/p>\n
Along with former Tiger Junior Tupou, the two \u2018Juniors\u2019 provide solid depth for the Chooks.<\/p>\n
Tom Rodwell is an emerging 24-year-old who played well in his NRL debut last year, running for 218 metres and scoring a try. <\/p>\n
He\u2019s far from the finished product but after his sole hitout in first grade last year, the Roosters will be more confident relying on him this season if injury strikes. <\/p>\n
An interesting addition to the Roosters roster in the last month is former Dragon Cody Ramsey. <\/p>\n
While Ramsey\u2019s preferred position is fullback, he has played several reserve grade games on the wing. <\/p>\n
Robert Toia.Source: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n
ROOSTERS<\/p>\n
Top 30: Angus Crichton (2026), Billy Smith (2027), Blake Steep (2026), Cody Ramsey (2026) Connor Watson (2027), Daniel Tupou (2026), De La Salle Va\u2019a (2027), Egan Butcher (2027), James Tedesco (2027), Junior Pauga (2027), Lindsay Collins (2026), Mark Nawaqanitawase (2026), Nat Butcher (2027), Naufau Whyte (2029), Robert Toia (2027), Sam Walker (2027), Sandon Smith (2026), Siua Wong (2026), Spencer Leniu (2027), Toby Rodwell (2028), Victor Radley (2027), Hugo Savala (2026), Jake Elliott (2026), Reece Foley (2026), Xavier Va\u2019a (2026)<\/p>\n
2026 gains: Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Sea Eagles, 2026), Cody Ramsey (St George Illawarra Dragons, 2027), Reece Robson (North Queensland Cowboys, 2029)<\/p>\n
2026 losses: Zach Dockar-Clay (Manly Sea Eagles), Ethan King (North Queensland Cowboys), Ethan Roberts (Wests Tigers), Brandon Smith (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Sandon Smith (Newcastle Knights), Chad Townsend (retired), Dominic Young (Newcastle Knights)<\/p>\n
Retained: Rex Bassingthwaighte (2028), Toby Rodwell (2028), Blake Steep (2028), James Tedesco (2027), Egan Butcher (2027)<\/p>\n
Off Contract in 2026: Daly Cherry-Evans, Angus Crichton, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Daniel Tupou, Xavier Va\u2019a, Siua Wong<\/p>\n
OFF-CONTRACT IN 2026 BY POSITION<\/p>\n
FULLBACK<\/p>\n
Tom Chester, Kade Dykes, Sione Fonua, Trai Fuller, Jye Gray, William Kennedy, Luke Laulilii, Heath Mason, Nick Meaney, Sean Russell, Tyrell Sloan, James Tedesco, Connor Tracey, Taine Tuaupiki<\/p>\n
WING<\/p>\n
Michael Asomua, Selwyn Cobbo, Mathew Feagai, Reuben Garrick, Moala Graham-Taufa, Jamayne Isaako, Thomas Jenkins, Sione Katoa, Greg Marzhew, Marcelo Montoya, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jaxson Paulo, Richard Penisini, Phillip Sami, Sam Stonestreet, Jed Stuart, Jake Tago, Murray Taulagi, Christian Tuipulotu, Daniel Tupou, Will Warbrick<\/p>\n
CENTRE<\/p>\n
Jesse Arthars, Jake Averillo, Rocco Berry, Jack Bird, Braidon Burns, Wilson De Courcey, Max Feagai, Dane Gagai, Delouise Hoeter, Brian Kelly, Nathan Lawson, Jaxon Purdue, Will Penisini, Jesse Ramien, Solomone Saukuru, Aaron Schoupp, Jeral Skelton, Enari Tuala, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Chris Vea\u2019ila<\/p>\n
FIVE-EIGHTH<\/p>\n
Jack Cole, Tyson Gamble, Te Maire Martin, Josh Rogers, Trent Toelau, Manaia Waitere, Cody Walker<\/p>\n
HALFBACK<\/p>\n
Coby Black, Tanah Boyd, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jayden Campbell, Jake Clifford, Jamie Humphreys, Tom Duffy, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Zac Herdegen, Kodi Nikorima, Niwhai Puru, Adam Reynolds, Brad Schneider, Ronald Volkman, Tyran Wishart<\/p>\n
PROP<\/p>\n
Tom Ale, Jake Clydsdale, Harrison Edwards, Sione Fainu, Emre Guler, Payne Haas, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Tuku Hau Tapuha, Liam Henry, Samuel Hughes, Jaiyden Hunt, Jaimin Jolliffe, Tui Kamikamica, Sean Keppie, Kaiden Lahrs, Simione Laiafi, Blake Lawrie, Matthew Lodge, Ata Mariota, Sam McIntyre, Francis Molo, Michael Molo, Josh Papalii, Junior Paulo, Toby Rudolf, Lindsay Smith, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Xavier Va\u2019a<\/p>\n
HOOKER<\/p>\n
Jayden Berrell, Damien Cook, Lachlan Croker, Zach Dockar-Clay, Harry Grant, Tristan Hope, Freddy Lussick, Cameron McInnes, Zaidas Muagututia, Cory Paix, Jake Simpkin, Sam Verrills, Billy Walters<\/p>\n
SECOND ROW<\/p>\n
John Bateman, Shawn Blore, Billy Burns, Thomas Cant, Kurt Capewell, Angus Crichton, Beau Fermor, Tyson Frizell, Luke Garner, Mavrik Geyer, Jack Gosiewski, Charlie Guymer, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Brodie Jones, Oryn Keeley, Viliame Kikau, Mason Kira, Keaon Koloamatangi, Karl Lawton, Luciano Leilua, Connelly Lemuelu, Zyon Maiu\u2019u, Toni Mataele, Ryan Matterson, Max McCarthy, Marata Niukore, Kai O\u2019Donnell, Joe Roddy, Scott Sorensen, Tony Sukkar, Lewis Symonds, Siosifa Talakai, Kelma Tuilagi, James Walsh, Siua Wong<\/p>\n
LOCK<\/p>\n
Nathan Brown, Josh Curran, Jesse Colquhoun, Matthew Eisenhuth, Kalani Going, Lipoi Hopoi, Blake Hosking, Kit Laulilii, Liam Le Blanc, Kurt Mann, Hohepa Puru, Hame Sele, Morgan Smithies, Ray Stone, Jack Todd, Jake Trbojevic, Dylan Walker<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Roosters have welcomed two new key recruits in a roster shake-up of sorts ahead of the 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