Latest news with #SandonSmith
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Roosters admit halves gamble 'didn't work out'
Trent Robinson admits the Sydney Roosters' gamble on Chad Townsend did not pay off as hoped, issuing a simple challenge to Sandon Smith on his NRL recall. It comes as the Roosters coach flags important forward Victor Radley will miss up to a month with the shoulder injury that forced him off against Cronulla on Friday. Radley downplayed the left shoulder issue, similar to one suffered last year, when quizzed by reporters on Tuesday. But Robinson is being more realistic as the 10th-placed Roosters prepare for a crucial month closing in on a finals spot. "(Radley's injury) is not a week, it's probably closer to three or four. We've just got to repair and do the work," he said. "It'd be nice to get him back and firing." Robinson raised eyebrows preferencing off-contract veteran Townsend at five-eighth over prized youngster Smith when Hugo Savala went down with a wrist injury before round 20. In his first NRL game since round five, Townsend could not spark the Roosters, who were error-prone as they fell in a crucial clash against top-eight rivals Cronulla. With Savala sidelined for at least another week, Smith has earned a rapid-fire recall at Townsend's expense for a similarly big game against finals-bound Melbourne. "It didn't work out how we wanted last week," Robinson conceded. "But there's two separate things there. We weren't happy with the way we played, but also, Sandon wasn't there for a reason. "But we've always believed in him as a player. I think we've shown that for the last few years in his development." Robinson wants to see Smith go after Thursday's game, the way he did leading the Roosters to a huge defeat of St George Illawarra on Anzac Day earlier this year. "I want him to play his game, I want him to attack the game. Go and play, go and attack the line and take his opportunities," Robinson said. "He's a really instinctive player and I feel like he can do that more. I'm looking forward to that." Smith will start in the halves next to newly-fit Sam Walker for only the second time at NRL level and first since last March. But the pair are great mates off the park, which Robinson felt would help their chemistry. "I trust our system and I also trust their combination as friends and an intuition there about how they like playing the game," he said.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Roosters playmaker tipped to make imminent exit stunning recall of Chad Townsend
Roosters fans are speculating whether Sandon Smith has played his final game for the NRL club after Chad Townsend got the nod to replace the injured Hugo Savala. Trent Robinson has named Townsend and Sam Walker in the halves to take on the Sharks on Friday night, after Savala suffered a hand injury last weekend. With Savala expected to miss two matches, Roosters fans were thinking Smith would receive an immediate recall after being dropped to NSW Cup last weekend. But Robinson went with Townsend instead, sparking speculation about Smith's future at the club. The 22-year-old Smith is contracted to the Roosters until the end of 2026, but has reportedly been shopped to rival clubs in preparation for Daly Cherry-Evans' possible arrival next season. Smith has been linked to the Eels, Dragons and Cowboys in recent times, and the Roosters are reportedly happy for him to leave if he can secure a deal elsewhere. Smith and Savala have been brilliant for the Roosters in 2025, stepping up to fill the void left by Walker's ACL injury. But Smith was the man axed when Walker made his return against the Dragons last weekend, with Robinson preferring a Walker-Savala halves combo. With Savala now injured, Robinson has opted to recall Townsend from the wilderness. A premiership player with Cronulla in 2016, Townsend will take on his former club after being axed by Robinson in Round 6. The 34-year-old played the first five games of the season after signing from North Queensland, but has been toiling in reserve grade ever since. Roosters fans were stunned on Tuesday that Smith wasn't recalled, and many think it signals he'll leave the club. The 'Roosters Podcast' account wrote: "Sandon losing his spot to Savala signalled to us he was on the way out…certainly didn't expect this though." While Daily Telegraph columnist 'The Oracle' commented: "Never thought I'd see the name Chad Townsend in first grade this year. Can't work that out. Unlikely Sandon Smith will be at the club next year." I can't believe Chad Townsend has been selected over Sandon has been in superb form this season. Solid in defence, speed to burn and with a great kicking game - and he can kick goals too!Sandon and Sammy would be a dream halves combination.#EastsToWin 🐔#NRL — Nick Hendrix (@hendrix_uk) July 15, 2025 Or they wanted a kicking half which Smith is not a as good of a kicker as Chad or Savala — Make the NRL great again! (@kdot_1234) July 15, 2025 Could it be that they want to consolidate Walker's combo on the left and Chad is a right half, whilst Sandon is left only? — 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐥 (@NRLSCC) July 15, 2025 The Roosters started playing well when Chad was replaced by Hugo, kicking game is appalling, odd decision on the surface, Sandon is the obvious choice on the outside. — SnowmanNFT (@NftSnowman) July 15, 2025 Think I re-read over the team 3 times to make sure I wasn't making a mistake…🤬 — Duke25 (@Duke2517) July 15, 2025 But according to Roosters great Bryan Fletcher, it might around Townsend's kicking game. Fletcher pointed out that neither of Walker and Smith have the same long kicking game that Savala possesses, but Townsend does. A halves combo of Walker and Smith might struggle to get the Roosters out of trouble on the fifth tackle. "I thought they might have gone with Sandon Smith, but I reckon it's got to do with the kicking game," he said on SEN radio. "The Roosters last year, they couldn't get out of their own half when they were in trouble. Sam Walker, Sandon Smith and Luke Keary (last year), none of them are long kickers. "Hugo was the saviour. They could turn an average set into a pretty good set with his long bombs. So I think that's why the Chad gets his recall." RELATED: Fury over Panthers star's ban after Parra rival cops season-ending injury Knights offer contracts to two State of Origin players amid Ponga blow Roosters player Egan Butcher said on Monday: 'Whatever half steps up, they all know the system so well and they have full confidence from the rest of the team. It's been so good watching Hugo kill it this year. It's just a little setback and he'll hopefully be back in a couple of weeks. 'He'll build his combo with Sam and hopefully get that right for the finals series. One of his (Walker's) biggest strengths is his game management, so he always knows what the team needs at the right time. Having him out there with his composure was big for us.'
News.com.au
14-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Missing piece': Roosters suffer setback in finals push with Hugo Savala to be sidelined
Roosters players are confident Hugo Savala will have enough time to develop his combination with Sam Walker in the halves even if the five-eighth misses the next couple of weeks with a wrist injury he suffered during Saturday's win over the Dragons. Savala was in extreme discomfort with 12 minutes to go when his left arm got trapped awkwardly while making a tackle on Clint Gutherson. He didn't train on Monday and is expected to be out for up to two weeks, with Sandon Smith the man most likely to come straight back in for Friday's crucial clash against the Sharks that will have massive top-eight implications. 'Sandon and Sammy have played their best footy together (so I'm confident they'll be fine this week),' Roosters prop Naufahu Whyte told the NewsWire. 'Hugo is going to be a big loss with the way that he plays, but it's a next man up mentality here and we always trust whoever puts on the jersey to get the job done.' Smith has started 15 games at five-eighth this season but was dropped to reserve grade on the weekend, with Savala the preferred option to partner Walker when everyone is fit. Smith's played in plenty of big games alongside Walker and came off the bench in the famous 13-12 win over Cronulla in the 2023 elimination final. 'Whatever half steps up, they all know the system so well and they have full confidence from the rest of the team,' Egan Butcher said. 'It's been so good watching Hugo kill it this year. It's just a little setback and he'll hopefully be back in a couple of weeks. 'He'll build his combo with Sam and hopefully get that right for the finals series. 'One of his (Walker's) biggest strengths is his game management, so he always knows what the team needs at the right time. Having him out there with his composure was big for us.' While Savala's booming boot has been a revelation this season, Walker's timely return is just what the Roosters needed as they fight for a finals spot. The star playmaker suffered an ACL injury last year and broke his thumb just days before he was supposed to return to the NRL side this season. He had a huge smile on his face as he ran onto the field on Saturday and came up with a couple of important plays, including a field goal on the stroke of half-time to give the Roosters the lead at the break. He spent 10 minutes off the field while in the sin bin for a cannonball tackle, with the halfback joking that he was relieved he didn't have to pay a $1500 fine after avoiding a charge from the match review committee. His attacking brilliance could be the difference for Trent Robinson's side, with the Roosters now looming as a nightmare opponent in the finals if they get there. 'Sammy is the final missing piece that our team has been needing,' Whyte said. 'He just fit right back in like he never left. He just got back to his business and what he does best last week with that field goal. 'The way that he plays is special, and it's something that we love having. We just let Sammy do his thing and we play off him because he's a special talent. 'Even seeing him at training when he was out, he always put in the work and you could tell he was so keen to get back on the field because he was always carrying a footy everywhere he went.'
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Roosters half set to be axed amid timely boost after loss to Wests Tigers
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. — 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." RELATED: Cameron Munster rocked by devastating news as captain leaves camp Family first as Panthers star withdraws from representative games 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
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Roosters makes call on DCE amid pressure for NRL club to backflip on deal
Roosters coach Trent Robinson says his stance has not changed on wanting to bring Daly Cherry-Evans to the club next season, despite the continued form of his young stars. Halves pair Hugo Savala and Sandon Smith were once again instrumental in the Roosters' thumping 42-8 win over the Cowboys on Sunday that cemented their spot in the top eight. The Roosters ran in five second-half tries to wrap up their biggest win of the season and jump into seventh on the NRL ladder. The only negatives were knee injuries to second-rower Siua Wong and Smith, who impressed again at five-eighth alongside Savala, with first-choice half Sam Walker still out with a fractured thumb. Savala's incredible tap-back set up one of the tries of the season for Mark Nawaqanitawase, and the No.7's kicking game helped the Roosters control the contest. Savala's halves partnership with Smith has been one of the stories of the season for Robinson's side and the duo marshalled the side around superbly on Sunday, until the five-eighth left the game late on with injury. But it was the latest stunning illustration that the young halves are bona fide NRL starters and have formed one of the league's most promising combinations. It has also raised further questions about why the Roosters feel the need to sign Manly captain Cherry-Evans, who is widely expected to join the club next season on around $1 million per season. There has been speculation that the Roosters might be considering backflipping on a reported handshake agreement to sign DCE next season, after he was axed from Queensland's Origin side in the midst of an alarming form slump with Manly. But Robinson addressed the club's interest in DCE before Sunday's game and said the club's stance had not changed on signing the veteran halfback. RELATED: Queensland Origin twist after ugly scenes for Walsh and Hammer Blow for Titans and Queensland after Origin hopeful ruled out NRL fans all say same thing after Latrell Mitchell's NRL stunner "Nothing has moved, we haven't had any discussions or anything like that. But there hasn't been any difference on what I said last time either," the Roosters coach said. "We said he's going to wait so we've just been getting on with our business until that time." Robinson insists he's ignored the public commentary around DCE's ailing form in 2025 and speculation his side were getting cold feet about bringing him to the club. "That hasn't been a discussion for us," he added. Savala and Smith's latest displays on Sunday will only intensify the scrutiny around DCE, but Robinson says there's no reason why the young halves, DCE and the sidelined Walker can't all play in the same side. Savala's preferred position is in the halves but his 194cm frame makes him a candidate for opportunities in the back row or outside backs. While Smith was a regular on the bench before five-eighth Luke Keary left the club at the end of last season. Whether he would be happy about being relegated to a bench role again remains to be seen. Walker and DCE are expected to be Robinson's first-choice halves in 2026, but the coach has plenty of options at his disposal. "We're in a good spot, I feel like we're developing really well," Robinson said. "We want to keep pushing forward in being the best team that we can be. There's no wavering on what I said (about wanting to pursue Cherry-Evans) but that time will come." Emerging young forward Salesi Foketi also performed brilliantly at lock for the sidelined Victor Radley (concussion) and laid on a superb try for Lindsay Collins in the first half. Bench hooker Benaiah Ioelu also starred in his fourth NRL game, kicking twice in the lead-up to tries, while Billy Smith has benefited from a prolonged run without injury and scored a double, with rising middle forward Naufahu Whyte running for a whopping 173 metres to show the future is bright at the Chooks. Dear Roosters…. You don't need DCE. #Roosters — Aristidis Sialepis (@Sialepis69) June 22, 2025 I would not be signing dce if I were roosters… — R. (@rob10_v) June 22, 2025 Waste of money if you sign him mate. — BulldogMike (@Olak1975) June 22, 2025 with AAP
