EXCLUSIVE: Andrew Johns' blunt solution to stop the rot at the Roosters

As rumours persist around a change to the coaching set-up at the Roosters, rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns believes the real solution lies in their halves.

Currently, the club are unlikely to feature in the finals for the first time since 2016 after a turbulent season.

Regular half Sam Walker hasn't featured for the Roosters since he was dropped in April with a knee injury, post his axing, resulting in a long lay off.

READ MORE: OO

READ MORE: Chappell says 'stupidity' behind 'sad' Aussie dearth

READ MORE: Jamaica sends Brazil crashing out of World Cup

Johns believes the club needs to give its young superstar full control next season.

"I think the solution for the Roosters' struggles is next year, just give the team to Sam Walker, say righto you're playing on ball like a halfback, you're playing like a 90s (halfback), like Ricky (Stuart) and Alf (Langer) used to, playing on the ball, you create," he said on Wide World of Sports' Freddy and The Eighth.

"He's got the keys to the team ... he plays what he sees, kicks the ball early, throws a pass, doesn't second guess himself."

Walker recently travelled to Townsville for specialist treatment on his troublesome knee injury and received the green light that he could return in the coming weeks.

After his axing, reports suggested a difference in opinion over his playmaking role with halves consultant Cooper Cronk.

Similar reports have persisted, with changes mooted for the Roosters' coaching structure. Matt King and Cronk are reportedly under pressure to keep their jobs and Jason Ryles previously finished up as assistant coach mid-season.

This week, coach Trent Robinson moved to quash rumours of major change in his coaching staff, dismissing them as "hearsay".

Stream the NRL premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now

"All of my staff that are here this year will be here next year, that's pretty clear," he said.

Former captain Jake Friend was also linked to a full-time assistant coaching role but Robinson also denied that.

"I don't know who is putting out those reports, there haven't been those discussions internally," he said.

"Jake doesn't even know if he wants to be an assistant. Any other reports are a long list of hearsay.

"I don't even know if he'll go back to part-time next year let alone go on, so whoever is giving you the mail is completely off.

"We're pretty clear on inside what we are doing."

The Mole's NRL round 22 team of the week: Ponga 'back to his best' as Knights charge towards finals

The Mole's NRL round 22 team of the week: Ponga 'back to his best' as Knights charge towards finals