‘Quality player’: Roosters not ruling out move for Cobbo
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson is looking to replenish his team as the club prepares to lose a number of players at the end of the year, including Joey Manu, Joseph Suaalii and Luke Keary.
Robinson said the club were interested in finding an experienced playmaker to replace their outgoing five-eighth while they continued to develop the long-term halves pairing of Sam Walker and Sandon Smith, and would also consider looking at other high-quality players that come on the market, including Origin star Selwyn Cobbo.
Robinson said the Roosters hadn’t yet spoken about going after Cobbo, but would have to consider it given what a talent he is proving to be.
“Yeah, obviously [look at Cobbo], you know the quality that he is, as soon as he came on to the scene you could see what a quality player he was and will be,” Robinson said.
“That hasn’t come up in discussion … that’s not on the radar at the moment, but [we’re] always looking at the high-quality players. I know his ability to play a few different positions is key, but we’re also on a path there with some of our young centres.”
Keary announcing his retirement this week has fast-tracked the Roosters’ progression plan of moving 21-year-old Smith into the halves alongside Walker, but Robinson said the club would consider signing an experienced playmaker in the interim.
Selwyn Cobbo is one of the hottest talents on the market for next season.
“That would be ideal [an experienced half] if the player is right. If it’s not, then we’re not going to put someone in front of Sandon that’s not of high quality,” he said.
“If we think someone is really experienced and can do that [it would be worth looking at] … but we are in May, and for next year most of the time they’re all signed. So, that’s difficult there, but we also really believe in Sandon. If we have to go young and develop them through next year, then we will.”
Robinson ruled out South Sydney halfback Lachlan Ilias as an option, after the 23-year-old was given permission to speak to rival clubs following the Rabbitohs’ impending signing of St Helens halfback Lewis Dodd.
“[Ilias is a] really good player, but similar position [also young] to those two [Smith and Walker] as well, and so that doesn’t really line up as much even though he is an NRL player,” Robinson said.
The club will also lose veteran prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves at the end of the year, while the future of Daniel Tupou and Angus Crichton is still uncertain.
A number of other players will also be able to negotiate with rival clubs come November 1, with James Tedesco, Brandon Smith – who took up his player option to stay at the club next year – and Sam Walker signed with the Tricolours until 2025.
Robinson said the club planned to keep Walker long-term.
“There’s a challenge to keep good players, I think that’s always the case, but I think Sam’s been quite open, we’ve been quite open,” Robinson said.
“We’ve been on a path there for four years with Sam, we’ve been very clear about him being our long-term half and developing into that. That plan hasn’t changed for us, and as far as I know it hasn’t changed for Sam.”
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