Sam Walker stepped out just four kilometres from the scene of Tuesday’s sold-out Anzac Day clash, with Andrew Johns’ endorsement as a future 300-game player ringing loud and clear.
But the moment he began warming up on a boggy paddock at Glebe’s Wentworth Park, there was no hiding from the fact this reserve grade hit-out was a world away from the biggest club game on the NRL calendar.
Even a playing kit quirk meant Walker trotted out in No.1 instead of the No.7, as he played solidly without setting the world alight in the Roosters’ 30-18 NSW Cup loss to the Dragons.
He should have had a try under the posts but for a forward pass in the play’s lead-up and threw an intercept of his own as rain closed in on Sunday afternoon.
Almost two years ago to the day, a 20-year-old Walker claimed the prestigious Ashton Collier medal in just his fourth NRL game. The fact coach Trent Robinson and club supremo Nick Politis turned out to support the axed half speaks to the potential and the belief the Roosters still have in him.
Robinson wants Walker to rediscover his freewheeling best in an environment away from the NRL pressure cooker where defences can suffocate exactly that.
Trent Robinson and Nick Politis (left) at Wentworth Park on Sunday to watch Sam Walker play NSW Cup.Credit: James Alcock
Walker’s occasionally wild ways with ball in hand are exactly why eighth Immortal Johns is an unabashed fan, tipping a quick recovery from the 20-year-old long touted to lead the Roosters scrumbase for many years to come.
Johns couldn’t have been more effusive in his praise though, touting Walker to join the rare air of rugby league’s triple centurions, having already clocked up 52 games before turning 21.
“He is the best young half in the game by a mile,” Johns said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“He’s going to be a 15-year NRL player. He’ll play 300 games. He’ll play for Queensland, he’ll play for Australia. He’ll come back. He’s a young fella with great character. His father and uncle were great players and great characters. He’ll be back better than ever.
Sam Walker in action for the Roosters.Credit: James Alcock
“I’m the biggest fan of Sam Walker there is because he’s a throwback to halves who played like they did in the ’90s. He’ll come back better.”
Walker’s demotion has dominated coverage leading into Tuesday’s marquee clash, its first at the rebuilt Allianz Stadium.
The Dragons have switched up their own pre-game preparation and will stay in Sydney on Monday night to fit in a walk-through of the new stadium, having not played there since its redevelopment.
Robinson’s scrumbase call caught Anthony Griffin off-guard as well, and now the Dragons are on high alert given the flow-on effect lost in most commentary – the threat Joey Manu poses at five-eighth.
Sam Walker on the attack at Wentworth Park.Credit: James Alcock
The reigning Golden Boot winner and a fullback at any other club in the game given they don’t also boast James Tedesco, Manu too has struggled to find top gear like most of his Roosters teammates. Most consider it a matter of when, not if, and Griffin knows it.
“It was a surprise,” Griffin said of Walker’s dumping. “But obviously [Luke] Keary goes to halfback and he’s a really dangerous runner.
“And Manu’s one of the best runners in the game. I’d imagine they’ll be coming through the middle both those guys because it’s their natural game to run the football.
“It won’t change us too much but there’s got to be a real individual focus, particularly on Manu when he’s got the ball a little bit more in the middle of the field.”
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