NRL News: Roosters keen to re-sign two stars as another heads for the exit, Titans bolters in Origin frame

Sam Walker is able to negotiate with rival clubs come November 1 but the Roosters are keen to lock down the rising star to a long-term deal.

The young halfback has been arguably their strongest performer this year and with clubs like the Titans and the Broncos in search of a playmaker, he could command a seven-figure salary when he comes off contract at the end of next season.

With veteran Adam Reynolds getting closer to retirement, Walker would be an attractive proposition for Brisbane to return to Queensland and steer the Broncos around the park.

The new franchises in Perth and Papua New Guinea will also be on the hunt for big names in the coming seasons so Walker could extend his deal by a season or two in order to keep that option open as a way of increasing his bargaining power.

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But according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, the Roosters are about to kick off formal negotiations to lock Walker down to a long-term deal.

With Luke Keary retiring, Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii heading to rugby union, the club has plenty of cash to splash on Walker’s next contract.

Second-rower Sitili Tupouniua is on his way out of Bondi Junction with Canterbury the frontrunner to secure his services.

Angus Crichton is set to re-sign after the club nearly nabbed Titans star David Fifita so Tupouniua has been told he is free to leave.

Manly and the Dolphins are also trying to get his signature.

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Titans trio a chance for Origin decider

With winger Xavier Coates ruled out of Origin III, Billy Slater is likely to bring Selwyn Cobbo back into the Queensland side but that would involve scrapping previous plans to use him as a bench utility.

Slater controversially selected the Brisbane flyer on the interchange for game one, but his utility value paid off when fullback Reece Walsh went down with a head knock early on.

Cobbo was then rested him from game two after the Queensland camp thought he was not mentally prepared for the occasion, with replacement utility Kurt Capewell struggling for impact.

David Fifita. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Veteran Queenslander Dane Gagai is another option to come into the Maroons’ backline, having been selected in the extended squad for game two.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira, who entered round 17 as the NRL’s leading tryscorer, and his Gold Coast teammate Phil Sami are out-of-the-box choices.

Another Titan, star forward David Fifita, is also in the mix for the July 17 showdown at Suncorp Stadium to give the Maroons extra attacking firepower on the edges.

Fifita was surprisingly omitted from the first two games despite playing a key role in last year’s Origin series win.

with AAP