Sam Walker Lost the Kangaroos No. 7 Jersey Less Than a Day After the Roosters Pulled a $4.2 Million Offer
Sam Walker will start Australia’s last World Cup pool game on the bench. Kevin Walters named Tom Dearden at halfback for Saturday’s match against the Cook Islands in Townsville, with Walker in jersey 20, less than 24 hours after the Sydney Roosters withdrew their contract offer to him, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Walters says the two things are not connected. The timing has made that a hard sell.
What the Roosters said
The offer was a $4.2 million extension over three seasons, according to the Herald. The club’s statement was short. “The Sydney Roosters have this evening advised the management of Sam Walker that the club’s offer for a contract extension beyond the 2027 season has been withdrawn after the parties were unable to reach an agreement on terms,” it said, as reported by the ABC.
Walker is 24 and has played 109 NRL games for the Roosters since his debut in 2021. He is still contracted to the club for 2027. Before his Test debut he had said: “My preference is obviously to stay at the Roosters.”
It has been some year. He won the premiership in the 19-18 grand final win over Newcastle, made his State of Origin debut for Queensland, and played halfback in Australia’s 36-22 win over Fiji on Sunday.
Walters: “Nothing to do with it”
“That [contract situation] had nothing to do with it,” Walters told the Herald. “Sammy is a man, he can handle that situation. There are a lot of players here who haven’t settled their careers beyond next season, so he’s not the only one.”
His reason was Dearden. “He was five-eighth last week, he played well and had some good moments, but this week I feel like it was the right time to give him an opportunity at No. 7.” Cameron Munster partners him, Reece Walsh is back at fullback and James Tedesco is on the bench.
Walters also said Walker “trained well on Tuesday” and that “you wouldn’t know what’s happening on the outside with his contract situation.”
The phone calls
On Wednesday night Walker rang Roosters coach Trent Robinson and chairman Nick Politis to apologise for his part in the breakdown, according to a News Corp report carried by Fox Sports. “I just wanted a bit more time,” he reportedly told them.
The same reports say the calls did not reopen talks, and that the Roosters are planning a new halves pairing for 2027 with Hugo Savala and Toby Rodwell. Up to seven clubs are said to be interested in Walker, the Herald reported.
Why 1 November matters
From Sunday, players off contract at the end of 2027 can sign with other clubs. Eleven of the Kangaroos are in that position, including Harry Grant and Liam Martin. Grant told the Herald more players than usual are willing to test the market, because nobody knows the salary cap under the new broadcast deal from 2028, and because the Perth Bears and the PNG Chiefs are joining.
Walker’s Roosters and Tonga team-mate Salesi Foketi hopes he stays. “The club’s very good and Sammy’s very good,” he said.
When Australia play
Australia v Cook Islands is at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday 31 October at 8.05pm AEDT (7.05pm in Townsville, 9.05am in the UK). Australia have already reached the semi-finals, and a win would put them top of Pool A. The World Cup table is updated after every game.
