Glaring issues facing Roosters as premiership squad gutted
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It’s only taken a few days for the ecstasy of the Sydney Roosters′ premiership glory to turn into questions about how they are going to fare next season.
After losing stalwarts like Jake Friend, Boyd Cordner, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Luke Keary, Siosiua Taukieaho and Mitch Aubusson since their previous title in 2019, the club have done a tremendous job rebuilding the roster and keeping it competitive, culminating in a dramatic 19-18 grand final win over Newcastle.
Roosters players celebrate their grand final win on Sunday night. Getty Images
However, leading into the 2027 campaign, the Roosters and Trent Robinson face another tough assignment to ensure they are in the mix again.
From the grand final-winning team that faced the Knights last weekend, at least five players won’t be at Bondi next year – Spencer Leniu, Angus Crichton, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Daly Cherry-Evans and Daniel Tupou – while experienced utility Connor Watson, who missed the decider due to concussion, is also leaving the club.
Leniu’s departure was confirmed at the Roosters’ awards night, after he’d been heavily linked with a move to the Eels.
There are some positions that are easily filled for coach Robinson.
Hugo Savala has plenty of experience under his belt now and should seamlessly slot into the No.6 jumper and partner Sam Walker in the halves.
The local product complements Walker’s game nicely and can do the bulk of the long general-play kicking, while providing a big-bodied run threat.
That frees up Walker to his instinctive and creative style, which has been such a focal point of the Roosters’ attack since he burst onto the scene in 2021.
Savala and Walker, at least on paper, feel like a match made in heaven and could be the long-term halves pairing for the Roosters, who also have young gun Toby Rodwell and teenage prodigy Carter Mareko coming through the ranks.
The other obvious issue, fresh off Tupou’s surprise retirement, is the fact that both of the Roosters’ premiership-winning wingers are leaving, with the uber-freakish Nawaqanitwase heading back to rugby union for next year’s World Cup.
Manly speedster Reuben Garrick will fill one of those spots, joining the club on a multi-year deal, while the other wing spot will come down to a battle between Cody Ramsey, Tommy Talau and Rex Bassingthwaite.
Ramsey is one of the great stories of 2026, finally returning to the NRL after career-threatening health issues robbed him off multiple years at the Dragons, before the Roosters gave the fleet-footed fullback a lifeline.
Talau, who is yet to officially re-sign for next season, has a fair bit of experience and would probably have his nose in front, while Bassingthwaite has speed to burn and plenty of upside, but is seen as a fullback option long-term.
But perhaps the biggest problem facing Robinson is his forward pack, which was already light on depth and now loses two key members in Crichton and Watson, with front-rower Leniu a third high-profile departure.
Spencer Leniu has now won four premierships across two clubs. Getty Images
Naufahu Whyte has emerged as arguably the game’s best prop and can carry the load, while Lindsay Collins and Victor Radley make up a strong middle.
The ever-reliable Nat Butcher is coming off a career-best campaign in the NRL, which gives the Chooks at least four quality middles at Robinson’s disposal.
The back-row pairing of Salesi Foketi and Siua Wong have also firmly established themselves and will be in the red, white and blue jersey for years to come.
Underneath those six names, however, is where things get dicey.
Egan Butcher has been in the Roosters’ first grade squad since he was a teenager, but has yet to fully develop into a week-in, week-out NRL player, while young gun Blake Steep was sidelined for most of this season with an ACL injury.
Taylor Losalu and De La Salle Va’a played limited matches in the top grade in 2026 and the latter of those big boppers has been linked with a potential NFL career.
Unless they can pull off some signings and make some changes before next year begins, the Roosters will be stretched for depth in multiple spots – but it would take a brave person to doubt Robinson and Nick Politis in the recruitment department.
Nick Politis celebrates with Roosters fans. NRL Images
It’s a watch this space scenario for the Tricolours, who claimed a fourth gong under Robinson’s guidance this season, but head into 2027 with some uncertainty around parts of their roster and question marks over the future.
Sydney Roosters 2027 predicted team
1. James Tedesco 2. Tommy Talau 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Hugo Savala 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Nat Butcher 16. Egan Butcher 17. Blake Steep 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Toby Rodwell
Sydney Roosters 2027 squad
Benaiah Ioelu, Billy Smith, Blake Steep, Cody Ramsey, De La Salle Va’a, Egan Butcher, Junior Pauga, Hugo Savala, Jake Elliott, James Tedesco, Lindsay Collins, Nat Butcher, Naufahu Whyte, Reece Robson, Reuben Garrick, Rex Bassingthwaite, Robert Toia, Salesi Foketi, Sam Walker, Siua Wong, Taylor Losalu, Victor Radley
