Rugby league supremo Phil Gould believes the Roosters have now named their “best” halves pairing after Sam Walker was axed from the side.
Trent Robinson made the shock decision to demote the 20-year-old halfback to reserve grade ahead of the club’s ANZAC Day clash.
Gould even went as far as saying he was surprised Joey Manu hadn’t been named at five-eighth sooner.
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The Tricolours have been inconsistent so far in 2023, sitting in ninth place with only three wins from six appearances and Robinson is hoping to revive his side’s form.
Now Manu will get a chance to sign with his hands on the ball after winning the Golden Boost during last year’s World Cup in England.
“I can’t believe it’s taken them this long, to be honest. This is their best halves pairing,” Gould said on the Six Tackles with Gus podcast.
“That’s nothing against Walker, but at the end of the day Keary has won premierships playing in that position, and Manu they’ve got to get closer to the ball, it’s as simple as that.”
Gould also explained he believes Robinson needs to allow his team to play football instead of putting the focus on his side’s middle forwards.
“They’ve got to get back to playing football and not just trying to outmuscle teams like they have (for) the last year,” Gould said.
“This is a highly talented football team, a highly talented roster, and it’s underperforming at the moment.
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“They need to get back to playing football, and that’s not telling them anything they don’t know.
“They’ve made the change, they have bit the bullet, and Keary will steer the team around the field and Manu will be given the responsibility of creating opportunities.”
The Roosters handed Walker a contract extension in December last year, securing his services until the end of 2025.
But now, it is time for the young halfback to fight his way back into the team and NRL360 host Braith Anasta said he is backing him to “bounce back”.
“It’s a big test of his character now, we will see what he is made of because it is the first time that this has happened,” The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read said on NRL360 on Tuesday night.
“Not many players go through their career without being dropped at some point.”
“It is his first little test of resilience, I think the world of him and I think he will bounce back,” Anasta said.
