Billy Slater reveals rebuild pieces that have 'stopped people talking' after big name NRL exits
Billy Slater has heaped praise on the Sydney Roosters, with the club managing to overcome a number of key roster changes and injuries so far this season, confounding critics to sit just outside the top-eight while blooding a spate of rookies.
After a shaky start in which they conceded 50 points against the Broncos in a round one home game, things have turned around for the undermanned Bondi-based outfit.
From their nine games thus far, the Roosters have won four and lost five, with their latest performance against the Dolphins putting plenty of their rivals on notice.
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Roosters prop Naufahu Whyte. Getty
Among the losses was a six-point affair in wet Auckland conditions against the in-form Warriors, as well as a narrow loss to local rivals South Sydney.
But digging deeper than the results themselves, the thing that jumps out is the amount of fresh, young talent who have started to make their mark in the top grade in 2025.
There has been a well-documented overhaul to the roster for Trent Robinson's team, with premiership winners Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Luke Keary moving on.
Also at the top of the list was the departure of superstar outside backs Joseph Manu and Joseph Suaalii, who both moved to rugby union at the end of last year.
While there's no doubt the Chooks wanted to keep the two Josephs around long-term, it has allowed one of the club's most promising young stars to get his opportunity and grab it with both hands, leaving Slater in awe after Magic Round.
Robert Toia has starred in his rookie season. Getty
"The young guy I thought stood up was Rob Toia," he said on Nine's Billy Slater Podcast.
"The young Queenslander, he would have been playing in front of friends and family.
"It was a real breakout game for him - he's been doing a lot right off the football, I've been watching him - but he's really dangerous with the football in good territory as well.
"He's got a real future in the game and they are going along nicely."
Toia has had massive raps on him coming through the lower grades and at just 20 years of age with a handful of games under his belt, already looks like a future Origin star.
Slater was also impressed by rookie halfback Hugo Savala, who was only brought into the team due to Sam Walker's continued injury absence and recruit Chad Townsend's disappointing start to the season in the red, white and blue.
"He's not your brilliant type of halfback, but they don't need that," Slater said.
"They just need a great kicking game, a steady hand and someone who is gonna defend really well and that's what Hugo is doing at the moment."
Hugo Savala in action for the Roosters. Getty
Savala and Toia are just two of a growing list of relative unknowns who have helped the Roosters remain a competitive force in the competition across nine weeks.
Naufahu Whyte has stepped up and become the front-row leader after the exit of club icon Waerea-Hargreaves and the absence of Lindsay Collins.
On the wing, Mark Nawaqanitawase has rapidly parachuted into Origin discussions after pushing highly paid England international Dom Young to reserve grade.
Even bench forwards Salesi Foketi and Blake Steep have shown their worth, perhaps giving coach Robinson some relief after the questionable calls to allow both Terrell May and Sitili Tupouniua to walk out the door with time remaining on their contracts.
Blake Steep crosses for a try on Anzac Day. NRL Photos
"The one thing the Roosters have done over the last couple of weeks … they've stopped people talking about who they've lost," Slater said.
"They've made you stand up and notice who's there.
"Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Blake Steep - these young guys coming through are starting to make their names in the NRL.
"After round one, we were all talking about whether or not they were gonna win a game with how many players they had lost.
"Trent Robinson and James Tedesco have really led this young group."
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It's not the only example this season of a club losing some experienced or marquee talent and replacing them with some quality youngsters.
Canberra have emerged as a premiership contender despite losing veterans Elliott Whitehead and Jordan Rapana in the off-season.
In their place, English import Matty Nicholson has announced himself in the back-row, while Savelio Tamale has frustrated Dragons fans scratching their heads as to how he was allowed to slip through the cracks and take his talents to the nation's capital.
Savelio Tamale has been a value buy for the Raiders. Getty
Up north at the Cowboys, premiership heroes Kyle Feldt and Valentine Holmes have departed from their backline, but have still managed to remain in the top-eight.
Robert Derby is starting to find his feet on the wing and looks the goods, while young Jaxon Purdue - despite playing out of position - has some earmarking him as a bolter to play in the centres for the Maroons later this month.
Wests Tigers supporters and officials were devastated to lose Stefano Utoikamanu, who was seen as one of the game's best young forwards - but so far, Fonua Pole, Sione Fainu and of course Terrell May have done a phenomenal job in the front-row rotation.
While not a rookie by any stretch of the imagination, few could have predicted the type of football Erin Clark has played this year at the Warriors, stepping in seamlessly to fill the void left by captain Tohu Harris, who retired due to injury.
It's not just the teams who are firing that have promoted from within and found some joy, with Hamish Stewart and Dylan Egan already showing plenty of promise for St George Illawarra after the messy departure of international prop Francis Molo.
Dylan Egan has started his NRL career in style. Getty
Even teenager Lykhan King-Togia showed more on the weekend than other halves at the Red V and could be a long-term replacement for ex-skipper Ben Hunt.
South Sydney opted to part ways with Lachlan Ilias - who was once dubbed as a player who could be the best No.7 in the club's rich history - but found a hidden gem in the form of Jamie Humphreys, who was on fire early in the year before injury struck.
It's further proof of how crucial it is to freshen up an NRL roster every now and again, even if it means short-term pain for long-term gain.
And at a time where expansion talks are continuing with Perth and PNG coming into the fray soon, it shows there's always plenty of quality talent waiting for their chance.
