Roosters half set to be axed amid timely boost after loss to Wests Tigers

Yahoo

2 days ago

Sam Walker looks set to make a timely return for a Sydney Roosters team who have fallen outside the top-eight. And it looks like being bad news for five-eighth Sandon Smith.
The Roosters were expected to put a big score on the Wests Tigers on Sunday, and despite scoring five tries to four they lost 30-28. Trent Robinson's side have now slipped to ninth-place on the NRL ladder, but just two points separate them and the Broncos in fifth.
In a timely boost for the Tri Colours, star halfback Walker could make his long-awaited return in Round 19 against the Dragons on Saturday. Walker suffered an ACL injury late last year, and his return was delayed even further when he suffered a broken hand four weeks ago.
The Roosters said they expected Walker to miss a month with the hand injury, putting him in line for a possible return on Saturday. Walker will likely slot in at halfback, with Hugo Savala shifting to No.6.
It means Smith will be relegated to a bench role or forced to go back to reserve-grade. In Round 15 when Walker was initially named to make his return, it was Smith rather than Savala to make way. That's despite Smith being in the side all season long - even when it was Chad Townsend at halfback rather than Savala.
The 23-year-old appears to have overtaken Smith in the pecking order, and outplayed him again on Sunday despite the loss. Savala had a try assist and 393 kick metres, while Smith played more of a second-fiddle role.
Smith showed back in Round 8 against the Dragons that he has all the potential in the world, but he looks like being the odd man out when Walker returns. Walker will also take the goal-kicking duties from Smith, who might get a reprieve in the form of a bench utility role in Round 19.
The good news, the only good news after that debacle, is that Sam Walker will finally return against the Dargons next week. pic.twitter.com/4P2nR9zn2K
— Bondi Roosters (@bondiroosters) July 6, 2025
The Tigers' win came with Jarome Luai, Api Koroisau and Jahream Bula all missing, and it marked their first victory over the Roosters since 2018. Benji Marshall's side are now just two wins out of the top-eight.
"Regardless of the result, just the way the boys turned up today and actually fought, backs against the wall, given no chance, young side, new spine, players out of position," Marshall said. "We showed for most of that game a lot of the things we've been good at for the last four or five weeks. I'm just proud of the boys' effort."
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Roosters coach Trent Robinson said: "We just didn't set up the control of the game; you've got to have some semblance of control in your ruck and defence. We missed our mark at the start, credit to the (the Tigers) how they attacked the game."
with AAP