Latest news with #TrentRobinson
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Joey Manu's appearance at Roosters game explained amid huge rumour around club great
Joey Manu's appearance at the Roosters' home game against Canberra on Sunday evening certainly raised eyebrows, but it doesn't appear that Trent Robinson's side will be making a sensational play to bring the club legend back this season. There has been speculation that Manu was considering a backflip on his decision to play French rugby, and the sight of the two-time NRL premiership winner at Allianz Stadium on Sunday night left many Roosters fans hoping for the best. Manu was seen signing autographs and posing for photos with fans before the Roosters' nail-biting 24-26 defeat to the Raiders in round 13. Cameras also captured the 28-year-old sitting amongst the Roosters section during the game as well, with many fans convinced it was a sign he could be on the verge of handing the Tri Colours a huge boost by rejoining the club this season. However, it appears those hopes have been dashed after it emerged that Manu had been invited back to train and use the club's gym facilities in preparation for his stint in French rugby. Manu left the Roosters at the end of last season to make a switch to the 15-a-side code, where he's been playing for Japanese side, Toyota Verblitz this year. But the former Golden Boot winner is set to link up with French rugby club Racing 92 from July, ahead of the domestic rugby season in France which kicks off in August. Reports earlier this year suggested Manu has had a change of heart and was understood to be angling for an NRL return on compassionate grounds. RELATED: NSW urged to backflip on Origin call amid injury fears for Blues star Madge in telling dressing room moment amid fresh Broncos disaster Kalyn Ponga farce adds to calls for NRL comp to be suspended However, Roosters coach Trent Robinson poured cold water on Manu's potential return in April after saying he'd been given no indication Manu was considering a backflip on his French rugby move. "I had no idea about it at all, so that's the first thing," Robinson said at the time. The Roosters coach has always maintained that Manu would be welcome back at the club but has distanced himself from speculation the 28-year-old was set to return. But the Roosters fuelled the latest fan frenzy around the club legend after posting a video of Manu at the game to their Instagram account, sparking a flood of messages from hopeful supporters. "Welcome back Manu, hope to see you back on the field... we love u," one commented. Another wrote: "OMG it's happening", while a third added: "Can someone please re-sign this man, amen." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sydney Roosters (@sydneyroosters) Thought it would b something like that. I just thought he was visiting the club, once a rooster, always a rooster — Glen Williams (@GlenWillia48787) June 1, 2025 I don't think any roosters fans would justify a spot for him if he came back, Smith & Toai are very capable in the centres. — RaMarcus Jussell (@JussellRamarcus) June 1, 2025 While Robinson has shot down suggestions of a return this season, he did leave the door open for Manu to potentially return in 2026 when speaking about the situation in April. "Joey, this is his home, it always has been. But I'm sure he's got a plan," the Roosters coach said at the time. "If he's asked for a release, then he'd have a plan on what he wants to do, and that's not going to be (with) us... "Naturally you would (welcome him back), but that's not our choice. Joey gets to make his choice. He doesn't owe us anything. We've spent a lot of time together. There's obviously a professional relationship with the Roosters and also a lot of care for his family. I don't know if it's true, I've heard it reported. But until Joey tells me, then I won't be interested in why he doesn't want to go to France."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Youthful Raiders overpower Roosters in NRL win
Canberra's generation next have stood tall in a come-from-behind 26-24 win over the Sydney Roosters that has further strengthened the Raiders' claims as genuine premiership contenders. Without first-choice hooker Tom Starling (suspension) and Manly-bound halfback Jamal Fogarty (groin), the Raiders' youthful spine showed calmness and composure to run the Roosters down at Allianz Stadium on Sunday. Debutant halfback Ethan Sanders didn't look out of place in his first game for the Raiders, while Owen Pattie kicked a 40/20 and set up a try with a clever grubber kick in what was arguably his finest NRL game to date. Fullback Kaeo Weekes, who was the most senior member of the Raiders spine with just 42 NRL games to his name, then set up lively five-eighth Ethan Strange for the match-winning try with a bust from inside Canberra's half. WHAT A TRY 🤯#NRLRoostersRaiders — NRL (@NRL) June 1, 2025 The win leaves the Raiders second with an 10-3 record while the Roosters, who led by 10 points with 25 minutes left, were made to rue a game where they failed to turn the screw. Trent Robinson's side looked set to pick up from where they left off last week when Sandon Smith found winger Mark Nawaqanitawase with a bomb after just four minutes. There was some concern as to whether Nawaqanitawase cleanly grounded the ball but bunker official Chris Butler stuck with the on-field awarding of a try. Without Fogarty, Canberra's attack was cumbersome for much of the first half and it took the Raiders 35 play-the-balls in the Roosters 20m zone before they found a way over the line. Winger Xavier Savage struck for the Green Machine in the 31st minute and the Raiders looked to have nabbed another just before halftime when Simi Sasagi started and finished a brilliant flowing move. But hooker Pattie was deemed to have been offside in the build-up, allowing the Roosters to go up the other end and finish the first half with a James Tedesco try and a 12-4 halftime lead. Pattie kicked a 40/20 that allowed Sasagi to score early in the second half before Daniel Tupou helped the Roosters re-establish a 10-point buffer with a 55th minute try. But just as it looked as if the game might slip from the Raiders' grasp they pulled two tries out of nowhere in the space of four minutes. First, rookie winger Savelio Tamale tiptoed the sideline and flung a speculative offload back infield for a supporting Hudson Young to crash over. Then Pattie stabbed a grubber kick to the in-goal and captain Joe Tapine pounced on the loose ball. Strange finished Weekes's 73rd minute break to open some breathing space for Canberra before Rob Toia nabbed a consolation try for the Roosters.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Roosters half makes eye-opening call on future with DCE set to take his spot
Hugo Savala says he wants to be the long-term halfback at the Roosters, despite the expected arrival of Manly and Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans next season. Roosters coach Trent Robinson admits his side are interested in DCE and while a deal is yet to be signed, most expect the Sea Eagles skipper to end up in Bondi in 2026 after announcing this is his last season at Manly. Cherry-Evans will be 37 by the time the 2026 NRL season rolls around and the Roosters would likely have to at least match Manly's $750,000 per season salary that DCE turned down to have his deal registered by the league. But the impressive recent form of Roosters halves Savala and Sandon Smith, coupled with the fact first-choice playmaker Sam Walker is set to return from injury in the coming weeks, has left many good judges questioning whether the Tri Colours actually need DCE. League Immortal Andrew Johns suggested the arrival of DCE could be detrimental to the development of Savala and Smith, and that the Roosters could lose both young guns if the veteran joins. "The question for me is that you've got Sandon Smith and Hugo Savala, with how well they're playing, you've got Sam Walker coming back - do they want to buy DCE? Johns asked on Nine's Sunday Footy Show. "You've got these young blokes... They won't stay. Hugo Savala and Sandon Smith have made their debuts, they are NRL players now. They don't want to go to NSW Cup for two years, they will be moving on. I also don't see Sam Walker and DCE being that good a partnership. "DCE only plays on the right, you never see him on the left. Sammy Walker is a right-sided player and he's instinctive and just plays and DCE is similar. You need a steady hand and to me, Walker and Savala together would really go well." Smith has already been linked with a move to NRL rivals North Queensland and Parramatta for next season, with veteran league reporter Phil 'Buzz' Rothfield reporting that the 22-year-old is set to leave after this season, due to the expected arrival of Cherry-Evans. "He was strongly favouring the Cowboys. (However) I've since learned Parramatta - now they know that Galvin's not coming - will have a decent crack for Sandon Smith," Rothfield said about Smith on NRL 360. But Smith's halves partner Savala says he wants to stay at the club and continue playing halfback, despite suggestions the lanky playmaker could be suited to a switch to the centres or back-row. At 193cm tall, the switch would make sense for Savala but the 23-year-old insists halfback is where he wants to play after providing a diplomatic response to questions about DCE's expected arrival. It comes after Savala's agent previously indicated the youngster could explore a loan deal if DCE arrives next season. "I've always been a halfback since growing up," he said. "When I was 19, I probably started growing a lot taller. I'd always been a smaller sort of player which is why I was a halfback, but now I've grown taller, I've got that same skillset. "I love the Roosters, I want to stay here, I'm a halfback. I know I'm an NRL halfback. I haven't really thought too much about it (Cherry-Evans' potential arrival), I'm just trying to play the best football I can for the Sydney Roosters. I love this club." Savala was a standout for the severely-depleted Roosters as they thrashed an almost full-strength Cronulla 42-16 on Saturday night. He scored one try and set up three more, with his pin-point kicking a particular highlight in a huge win that proved Savala was an NRL-ready halfback and star of the future. RELATED: Crichton 'out' in Origin blow as NSW investigate leaked footage Big call made on Galvin's position as Bulldogs set to lose two stars NRL world saddened over new revelation about Steve Mortimer "I felt as if I was in control of the game and in control of the boys," Savala said. "We've had six months coming up to this point, and our kicking coaches are Nick Davis and Cooper Cronk. They're the best you can learn off. "I'm just all ears with them in training, learning every week off them. I did play a little bit of AFL when I was younger, which maybe helps. I was in the Swans academy until I was 14 or 15. I was ruck rover... picking up the scraps and playing a bit of rugby league in the AFL space." with AAP
News.com.au
24-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Robbo credits 'rewards' to rising stars
NRL: Trent Robinson and James Tedesco have spoken to the media after they dominated the Sharks during the Origin period.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Who needs DCE? Savala shines as Roosters stun Sharks
Hugo Savala has led a depleted Sydney Roosters side to a 42-16 win over Cronulla that will ignite questions over the NRL glamour club's pursuit of veteran halfback Daly Cherry-Evans. Savala stole the show at Industree Group Stadium in Gosford, the 23-year-old scoring a try, contributing three try assists and outgunning Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes on his home patch. Leading a Roosters side missing five State of Origin players and three NRL regulars through injury, No.7 Savala delivered the most mature display of his nine-game first-grade career on Saturday. Savala's long-term future at the Roosters has been subject to scrutiny this season, with his agent declaring he would explore loan options if Trent Robinson does what many expect him to do and lands the signature of Manly veteran Cherry-Evans. But on the evidence so far this season - and with Sam Walker still sidelined for a further month with an anterior cruciate ligament injury - Savala and Sandon Smith look to be bona fide NRL playmakers. Razzle dazzle from the Roosters! 🔥#NRLRoostersSharks — NRL (@NRL) May 24, 2025 The Roosters led 14-0 in as many minutes, with left winger Daniel Tupou catching and grounding two pin-point Savala kicks to the air. Both tries were converted by Smith, who added a penalty and finished the night with seven goals from eight attempts. Cronulla finally had some decent attack 15 minutes in, and on their first real foray forward the Sharks crashed over through Cameron McInnes. But the Roosters didn't go into their shell and instead combined for one of the plays of the season. Beginning in their own half, Savala started and finished it. He and Mark Nawaqanitawase combined to put Dom Young away down the right edge. The English winger burned KL Iro, then flicked a one-handed offload inside to James Tedesco, who tipped on to a supporting Savala to score. More woe was to come for the Sharks, with winger Ronaldo Mulitalo sin-binned for a shoulder-charge on Nawaqanitawase as the winger set the wheels in motion for Savala's try. The Sharks weathered the storm to trail 20-6 at halftime, but another Savala kick moved the Chooks out of reach. This time it was to the right wing, and while Young missed the ball, it fell kindly for former Wallabies winger Nawaqanitawase, who crashed over for his eighth try in nine NRL games. Debutant Roosters prop Xavier Va'a crashed in on just his second touch in the NRL, before Cronulla launched a late and short-lived fightback. Iro and Mulitalo crossed in the final 20 minutes, before Tedesco and Young wrapped up a deserved Roosters victory with late tries.
