The Roosters have lost a host of talented players ahead of the 2025 season, with club supremo Nick Politis reportedly “concerned” with the Tricolours’ potential to drop down the ladder.
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Joseph Suaalii and Joey Manu departed for rugby union at the season’s end, while Luke Keary and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves joined Super League clubs.
Sitili Tupouniua also joined the Bulldogs, while Terrell May was given permission to depart the Tricolours, eventually landing under Benji Marshall at the Tigers.
In their place, Chad Towsend arrived in pre-season, while rugby union convert Mark Nawaqanitawase began his tenure early during the 2024 season.
Robinson is set to fill the void left by those experienced players with youth, with the likes of Robert Toia, De La Salle Va’a, Blake Steep and Jake Elliott likely set to feature in 2025.
However, with such a large amount of talent exiting the club, pressure is heaping on Trent Robinson to fill gaps and still keep the Roosters in the finals race.
“Is Nick Politis concerned? Look Nick Politis is on a certain course with his academy of emerging players,” Rothfield said on NRL 360.
“He believes they are in a rebuilding phase and that they have got a lot of work ahead of them this year until their million dollar halfback Sam Walker gets back this year from injury.
“I think he is concerned, but he’s backing Trent Robinson.”
NRL360 host Braith Anasta then posed what could be a scary scenario for Robinson and Politis, asking: “If they finish 12th, 13th or 14th is he still backing Trent?”
“It is a fair question to ask and a lot of people ask me that very same question,” Rothfield responded.
“Trent gets a premiership winning roster not this year, but in previous years and he hasn’t delivered and he has a very poor record against the Penrith Panthers and the Melbourne Storm.
“He has two wins from 22 matches against them.
“I think there is always pressure at the Roosters as an organisation and the directors demand excellence.
“They are very successful people in their private business. If I was framing a market for coach sackings he would be nowhere near a favourite.”
However, with talent leaving, The Australian’s Brent Read was of the belief Robinson will “get some leeway” this year, hoping to give the club’s next crop of stars experience.
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Superstar halfback Sam Walker is only 22, and will return midway through the season from an ACL injury, while Siua Wong, Spencer Leniu, Egan Butcher and Sandon Smith are all under the age of 25.
“But how has their recruitment gone?” league legend Gorden Tallis asked.
“They must have known that Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was 35.”
Rothfield responded: “But whenever they sign anyone you blow up about their salary cap.
However, Tallis remained of the opinion Robinson and the Roosters must hit the open market, with rumblings remaining the powerful club want to make a play for Kalyn Ponga.
“Kalyn Ponga is the name that always gets mentioned,” Read said.
“I understand he is contracted next season and the season after, but Kalyn is the one on the radar for that football club down the track because in a couple of years Teddy will be gone, so that makes sense.”
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