Trent Robinson Defends Sam Walker as Nick Politis Says His Roosters Deal Is “All Over”
Roosters coach Trent Robinson has hit back at criticism of Sam Walker’s character, days after the club withdrew its $4.2 million offer to the halfback. “No one’s done anything wrong, no one’s a bad person in this,” Robinson said on Seven’s World Cup coverage, as reported by Nine.
Club chairman Nick Politis has said there will be no new deal. He told Code Sports on Thursday night that it was “all over”, news.com.au reported.
What Robinson said
“We wanted to sign Sam, we couldn’t get it done and that’s the business side of it,” Robinson said. “Then from Tuesday onwards it’s been a bit frustrating around the commentary around Sam and the way his character is and what he should have done.”
“No one’s on a lifelong contract. He’s signed until the end of next year. He’s a great guy. He’s really personable, everyone loves him, and he just didn’t want to sign for 2028.”
Some fans were angry that Walker did not tell the club himself when talks broke down. Robinson said that is what managers are for. “Sam and I don’t talk about contracts. We never have,” he said. “I’ve had him since he was a kid.”
How far apart they were
A gap of about $300,000 was behind the decision to pull the offer, according to news.com.au, which also reported that Walker has been told he can leave immediately, with a season left on his contract. Walker rang Politis on Wednesday night to explain his side, Nine reported.
Journalist Paul Kent said on Fanatics TV the Roosters were trying to close the deal before 1 November, when the PNG Chiefs could make an offer. “It’s not about the money any more,” he said. “It’s about the broken trust and an understanding that he doesn’t represent what the Roosters are about.”
We covered the first part of this story, and Walker losing the No. 7 jersey, in our earlier post.
He is not the only one
On Monday the Canberra Raiders withdrew a $4.4 million, four-year offer to Hudson Young, the NSW and Australia forward, Fox Sports reported. “The offer that was made was the largest in club history. As a club, we believe we have done all we can to keep Hudson in Canberra,” the club’s statement said. The Chiefs were reported to have offered Young $900,000 a season, tax free.
From Sunday, rival clubs can sign players for the 2028 season. The Chiefs and the Perth Bears both join the NRL and have money to spend, and Liam Martin is among the other Kangaroos still unsigned.
Tonight
Walker is on the bench for Australia against the Cook Islands in Townsville at 8.05pm AEDT, with Tom Dearden at halfback. The World Cup table is updated after every game.
