Sam Walker’s long-awaited rugby league return – with his typical play-making magic and madness – will leave Roosters coach Trent Robinson with a potential season-defining call to make about his scrum base.
With lungs burning and extremities freezing on a sunny, but blisteringly cold Sunday afternoon, Walker returned from a ruptured ACL for his first footy in nine months.
The Roosters’ million-dollar halfback played the first 40 minutes of a 28-16 NSW Cup loss to Parramatta at Kellyville Oval, with Robinson, assistant coach Matt King and NSW Origin stars Spencer Leniu and Angus Crichton in attendance.
Walker’s bright return included plenty of defensive work and an eye-catching 60-metre intercept of a dummy-half pass.
His kick from the very next first-tackle play held the promise of a spectacular try for his far winger – only for the ball to sail dead in the kind of all-or-nothing play that makes Walker one of the game’s must-watch playmakers.
It is a matter of when, not if, the 22-year-old returns to the NRL, potentially as early as Saturday’s clash against Newcastle.
Who Robinson chooses as Walker’s scrum base partner – towering rookie halfback Hugo Savala, or fellow livewire Sandon Smith, shapes as a crucial call not just for this season, but also the pair’s longer-term futures, given the club’s interest in Daly Cherry-Evans for next season.
“Nowhere I’d rather be,” Walker said after his successful return from injury.
“It was good to open the lungs up, and they were definitely burning there, but it was just so good to be back out here playing.
“I’m not sure about first grade next week. I’d say I’m ready, but I’ll leave that and see what Robbo wants to do. Today was just the first day back out there, and it’s weird, but you do wonder if you’ve still got it.
Sam Walker: back in action for the first time in 2025.Credit: Edwina Pickles
“You do question yourself a little bit, even though you shouldn’t, so it was good to knock that out and be back doing what I love.”
Since Savala’s elevation to the No.7 jumper with a booming long kicking game and improving game-management skills, the Roosters have a 4-3 record with him and Smith in the halves.
Two of those losses against NRL front-runners Canterbury and Canberra could have easily been reversed, given the Roosters – 10th on the ladder – had established what should have been match-winning leads.
Walker’s involvement in spine meetings and video sessions has given him a front-row seat to the pair’s evolution, which has also, in turn, prompted questions of whether Cherry-Evans’ signing is truly needed.
Savala’s agent Steve Gillis has previously raised the prospect of loaning him to a rival club if Cherry-Evans arrives next year, given Salava is contracted until the end of 2026. Smith, meanwhile, knocked back a Roosters extension last year with a mind to upping his value as a starting half this season, and has attracted interest from the Cowboys.
“[Smith and Savala] have done a very good job, they’ve come in with confidence and backed the way they play,” Walker said.
“They’ve both got pretty distinct styles of play, and it’s exciting to see them approach the game and make some big strides in the NRL.
“There’s been a lot of our young guys that we’ve been watching at training and in reserve grade, they’ve taken that next step and are starting to get their NRL opportunities.
“They’re taking those chances with both hands, and I’m really looking forward to playing with these guys – the improvement’s really cool to see and there’s a lot more to come too.”
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
Michael Chammas and Andrew “Joey” Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter.
