The Sydney Roosters are preparing to secure star halfback Sam Walker with a two-year contract extension ahead of the impending November 1 deadline. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Walker is expected to sign a deal worth $1 million annually, which would keep him at the club until at least the end of 2027.
Walker, who is currently under contract until 2025, is eligible to negotiate with other clubs starting November 1. However, it seems the Roosters have effectively deterred interest from rival teams as the deadline approaches. The young halfback is recovering from an ACL injury that prematurely ended his 2024 season, meaning he will miss a significant portion of the upcoming year.
At just 22 years old, Walker has been deliberating over the Roosters’ extension offer for several months but has now made the decision to commit to the team. Throughout this period, there has been speculation about a potential return to the Brisbane Broncos, a club closely associated with his family, as his father and uncles have played there. Nevertheless, Walker has consistently expressed his intention to remain loyal to the Roosters.
In a recent interview with Channel 9, Walker shared his thoughts on the ongoing contract negotiations. “It’s getting closer,” he mentioned, indicating that an announcement could be imminent. “I’m sure there will be some stuff that comes out soon. I’m looking forward to it,” he added.
With this new contract extension, Walker is likely to become a free agent around the time the NRL is set to expand to 18 or 19 teams. This could provide him with considerable bargaining power, positioning him as one of the highest-paid players in the league. Currently, the top earner is Kalyn Ponga of the Newcastle Knights, who makes $1.5 million per season.
In other NRL news, several clubs are reportedly interested in former Storm premiership-winning winger Suliasi Vunivalu, as rumors suggest he may exit Australian rugby. Reports from the Daily Telegraph indicate that Vunivalu is on the verge of leaving the Queensland Reds after being excluded from the Wallabies’ Grand Slam Tour squad.
Vunivalu, a centrally contracted player receiving a top-up from Rugby Australia, is under contract until the end of 2025. However, he has not featured in any Test matches this year, despite having participated in Australia’s World Cup campaign last year under the coaching of Eddie Jones. His absence from the current squad indicates that he may not be part of coach Ronan O’Gara’s plans going forward.
Overall, both Walker and Vunivalu are navigating critical phases in their careers, with Walker set to solidify his future at the Roosters and Vunivalu contemplating a return to the NRL amid a shift in focus within Australian rugby.
