Roosters kick off crucial Walker talks as Tupouniua exit escalates

The Roosters will begin lucrative long-term extension talks to keep rising half Sam Walker off the open market as Sitili Tupouniua is officially granted permission to make an early exit.

Walker has been in career-best touch throughout the Roosters rise into the top four, a year after being dropped and battling a persistent knee injury.

The 22-year-old has long been seen as the club’s long-term playmaker but is contracted until the end of 2025, putting him on the open market from November 1 this year.

Walker has consistently been linked with a return to his native Queensland, as the expected introduction of a Perth franchise in 2027 also puts his name up in lights as a potential marquee signing.

Walker has stressed repeatedly that his preference is to stay at the Roosters and guide the club’s next roster regeneration.

Formal negotiations between the club and his management have been flagged after the Roosters indicated a desire to tie down one of the game’s best young halves on a multi-year deal.

Meanwhile, Tupouniua’s likely exit despite being contracted until the end of 2027 has advanced ahead of Angus Crichton’s expected re-signing on a two-year deal.

Tupouniua has met with Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo and Manly officials as he weighs up his options for next season, which also includes interest from the Dolphins.

The Roosters have told Tupouniua the club won’t stand in his way if he finds a better NRL opportunity elsewhere for next season, though it is unclear if the club is willing to contribute to his $600,000 salary at a rival outfit.

Crichton is at the pointy end of delicate extension talks that tip-toed around the Roosters pursuit of Titans star David Fifita.

Tupouniua began testing the market with the club’s blessing when Fifita had agreed to join the Tricolours, but held out hope he could still stay pending Crichton’s own future.

Crichton’s expected re-signing leaves Tupouniua potentially down the list of Trent Robinson’s back-row options behind the Blues star, Victor Radley, Connor Watson, the Butcher brothers Nat and Egan and Fijian international Siua Wong.

Tupouniua was named at centre for Sunday’s clash against the Tigers, just his third NRL game in the past two months.

The Roosters have several recruitment and retention balls up in the air given the generational overhaul at the club, which will see Luke Keary and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves finish their careers this season as Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii move to rugby union.

Despite Waerea-Hargreaves’ exit, the Roosters at this stage are not expected to pursue Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu.

The Dragons and Raiders are both prepared to offer lucrative five-year deals, worth as much as $4.5 million a season, to secure Utoikamanu, while Melbourne are also interested but would need to move players to fit him into their salary cap.

The Roosters have also lodged enquiries with the NRL around a potential exemption for Wallabies flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase to take up his 2025 contract early after the Paris Olympics.

Meanwhile, Queensland and Sharks assistant Josh Hannay has met with Eels powerbrokers for a second time as the NRL strugglers close in on the appointment of a new coach.

Having been tied up with State of Origin and club duties, Hannay pitched his case for a maiden NRL head coaching job on Sunday.

Parramatta are expected to finalise Brad Arthur’s permanent successor this week with Hannay, Melbourne Storm staffer Jason Ryles and Dragons assistant Dean Young remaining in the race.

The Eels are anchored at the bottom of the ladder after their 11th loss of the season against the Knights on Saturday.

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