Spencer Leniu exit talk suggests Roosters could be on the verge of another cleanout

Talk of Spencer Leniu's potential departure from the Roosters at the end of the season was squashed by Trent Robinson on Thursday, but the chatter is yet another indication the club could be keen to clean house once again.

The Roosters have never been shy about their ruthless approach to their squad, often moving on high-profile players who no longer meet the cultural standards of the club.

Player movement over the past two years, and the recent reports about Leniu's future, suggest the Tri-Colours could be paving a new path.

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Leniu is contracted with the club until the end of 2027, reportedly on a deal worth $800,000 per season.

After talk of a possible early exit due to limited playing time, Robinson shut down claims the team was going to part ways with the premiership winner a year ahead of schedule.

Leniu made one run and three tackles in the Roosters' 38-24 win over Brisbane last Saturday and his minimal impact has led to rumours that he wanted out. On Thursday, Robinson hit out at suggestions Leniu could walk early.

The Origin enforcer is set to earn a starting spot against the Titans on Friday after regular starting front-rower Lindsay Collins was ruled out.

"He definitely wants more minutes and we've had those conversations," Robinson said on Thursday.

"He gets his opportunity to go out there and play there this weekend. We really value the way that he plays and that opportunity is right there in front of him.

"It's disappointing, a bit of the commentary around it, but we can't handle that. That's the interest when somebody doesn't play as much time as what they want."

Robinson flatly rejected claims the enforcer will not see out his contract.

"Of course he will," the coach adamantly declared.

"You've got to be careful that people don't buy into those sort of conversations too much. Just because one person says it doesn't mean it's true.

"We know where we're at. Between Spenny and I, and the club and his management, we'll keep rolling on as we do."

While Robinson is adamant the fiery prop will stay the length of his deal, it's easy to see why there's smoke around Leniu's future at Bondi.

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With his lack of playing minutes, Leniu has let his feelings be known, which subsequently led to rumours of him leaving his contract early.

The fact that it got out in the media, will not please Roosters officials.

Over the past two seasons, the club has farewelled 14 players, including international stars and premiership winners.

And they're set to lose more with the impending departures of Angus Crichton (Rugby Australia and NSW Waratahs) and Mark Nawaqanitawase (Japanese rugby union).

While they lost Joseph Suaalii and Joey Manu to rugby as well, other high profile exits raised eyebrows.

The release of Terrell May in 2024 was the most perplexing, since he signed a fresh two-year extension and was emerging as one of the best front rowers in the game.

May has not skipped a beat and has continued his strong form at the Tigers, raising more questions around the move.

The club denied May's exit was linked to cultural issues, rather to lighten the salary cap load.

May said last year that he's still dumbfounded by the call and is oblivious to the reasons behind it.

The Tigers prop was one of a group of players who participated in a live stream that year, which sparked unproven claims of drug use among the group.

Another player in that video who has since left the club is Brandon Smith. The Roosters allowed Smith to sign with rivals South Sydney following a tumultuous period last year, which also included a missed team meeting and being caught up in a drug investigation.

With Zack Docker-Clay joining Manly, Leniu and Naufahu Whyte are the only players left in the squad who appeared in that video in 2024.

Whyte has progressed nicely and has earned more time on the field at Leniu's expense, leaving the Penrith star in a precarious spot.

Leniu's unhappiness over playing time has caused a stir in the media, which could be viewed as a distraction by team officials.

Even if he does stay, it's uncertain whether the club would offer the forward an extension, potentially signalling that the two parties are on different paths.

Then there's Sam Walker, who is free to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1, with rumours the club may not extend him in a bid to chase Nathan Cleary.

Cleary has stated he wants to test the market come November and with the Roosters' history, they could make a big play.

The same kind of move saw Cooper Cronk replace Mitchell Pearce and Daly Cherry-Evans usurping Hugo Savala this year.

The club has never been afraid to go in a different direction, cutting the cord on players in the past, only to chase bigger names.

Players like Anthony Watts, Todd Carney and Willie Mason found themselves off the club's books in 2011 and 2012 following difficult periods on and off the field.

That roster cleanout and rebuild ultimately led to a premiership in 2013. Supporters of the team would hope the same applies more than a decade later.