James Tedesco faces a big bounce back season to put an end to conjecture over his future at club, state and international level.
Meanwhile, Brandon Smith is the key to unlocking a stacked Roosters backline that failed to click last season and will be boosted by the inclusion of the NRL’s leading try-scorer in Dominic Young.
Read on for Roosters’ State of Play.
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NRL releases full 2024 season draw | 02:31
2023 FINISH: (7th W13, L11, semi-finalist)
COACHES: Trent Robinson
Trent Robinson is signed with the Roosters until 2028 and after bringing the club three premierships in 11 years he pretty much has the job as long as he wants it. However, the Roosters haven’t even been to a preliminary final since they last lifted the trophy four years ago and for a club used to success it has been a bit of a lean patch of late. The Roosters were one of the premiership favourites last year, but things just didn’t click early and while they are notoriously slow starters, Robinson needs to get them firing from Round 1 in 2024 if he wants to make the top four and push for a title. Robinson will be boosted by the return of Justin Holbrook as assistant coach next season to replace Jason Ryles.
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2024 squad: Angus Crichton (2024), Billy Smith (2024), Brandon Smith (2024, PO 2025), Connor Watson (2025), Daniel Tupou (2024), Dominic Young (2027), Egan Butcher (2025), James Tedesco (2025), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (2024), Joseph Manu (2024), Joseph Suaali’i (2024), Junior Pauga (2025), Lindsay Collins (2026), Luke Keary (2024), Nat Butcher (2024), Naufau Whyte (2026), Robert Toia (2025), Sam Walker (2025), Sandon Smith (2024), Sitili Tupouniua (2024), Siua Wong (2024), Spencer Leniu (2025), Terrell May (2024), Tyler Moriarty (2024), Victor Radley (2027), Zach Dockar-Clay (2024)
Development players: Alex Young (2024), Blake Steep (2024), Ethan Roberts (2024), Lewis Murphy (2024), Xavier Va’a (2026)
PLAYERS IN: Dominic Young (Knights), Spencer Leniu (Panthers)
The Roosters are stacked in the outside backs in 2024 after bringing in the NRL’s top try-scorer last season in Newcastle’s Dominic Young. They already have the Roosters’ all-time leading try-scorer Daniel Tupou and young gun Junior Pauga, so they will have plenty of potent finishers next season. One area the Roosters struggled at in 2023 was off the bench and former Panthers premiership hero Spencer Leniu will provide plenty of impact and energy off the bench. The Roosters have been looking for someone to succeed Jared Waerea-Hargreaves as the team’s enforcer and Leniu’s fire and brimstone approach fits the bill perfectly.
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PLAYERS OUT: Fletcher Baker (Broncos), Jaxson Paulo (Sea Eagles), Matt Lodge (Sea Eagles), Paul Momirovski (Leeds Rhinos), Drew Hutchison (Bulldogs), Jake Turpin (Bulldogs), Corey Allan (unsigned), Nathan Brown (unsigned), Paul Momirovski (unsigned), Ben Thomas (unsigned)
WHERE THEY NEED TO IMPROVE: Attack
The Roosters’ finished the 2023 season strongly, but they ranked last in attack in the early part of the year and they still have a lot of work to do on that part of their game. The Roosters’ have built their club around their defensive wall and while there were some cracks in it last year that is an area they trust themselves to get right. However, the combination of Sam Walker and Luke Keary only started to click late last season and they still have work to do on their combination. Brandon Smith also had a slow start to life as the Roosters hooker and while he finished the year strongly he needs to improve his combinations with his halves and James Tedesco. Smith can do more to put Tedesco in space up the middle of the field where historically he has been so potent, but where he struggled last year. The Roosters also need to get more out of centre stars Manu and Joseph Suaalii on the edges.
WHO THEY COULD SIGN: Five-eighth or centre
If Luke Keary hangs up the boots the Roosters have one of two choices, either invest in Joey Manu as their long-term five-eighth and sign a centre or keep Manu on an edge and bring in a new five-eighth. Given Manu has played his best rugby league at centre and will likely take over at fullback when James Tedesco retires, the Roosters might be looking at bringing in a new No.6 to partner Sam Walker. There aren’t many quality halves available for 2024, but in 2025 there is no shortage of options. Broncos’ No.6 Ezra Mam and Cowboys counterpart Tom Dearden are the best five-ighths on the market and given their age would be the ideal fit for a long-term halves partner for Walker.
PLAYER UNDER MOST PRESSURE: James Tedesco
It was a rare inconsistent season for James Tedesco in 2023, who had to face criticism over his form at both club, state and national level. Australia’s 30-0 hammering by the Kiwis capped a disappointing season for Tedesco, who also lost the Origin series in which he played well below his best and the Roosters only made the semi-finals after a late season charge following a slow start to their campaign. As the old adage goes, never write off a champion, but Tedesco is fighting for his Blues and Kangaroos jerseys next year and if his form slump continues he may face pressure from Joey Manu for the Roosters fullback jersey and a switch to the centres for the twilight of his career. Fullbacks have a lot of miles on their legs by the end of their careers and it is difficult to play the position at the elite level well into your 30s. Time will tell if Tedesco can rediscover his mojo and play on in the mould of Billy Slater or if his time as the Roosters, Blues and Kangaroos No.1 is drawing to a close.
YOUNG GUN TO WATCH: Siua Wong
Boom second-rower Siua Wong burst onto the scene with three tries in 10 games in his rookie season in 2023. The 20-year-old started as a bench forward before finishing the season as a starter as the Roosters made a late charge to the semi-finals. Wong has already played five Test matches for Fiji and Tonga and is tipped for a big representative career down the line. A damaging ball-runner with footwork and passing skills, Wong also has an uncompromising defensive style that fits the Roosters’ DNA. Wong recently signed a contract extesnion through until the end of 2026 and will be looking to make a big splash next season as he aims to cement a starting spot at the Tri-colours.
