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Rugby Australia fail in attempt to lure 16-year-old prodigy from NRL
By Online Editors
The Sydney Roosters appear to have locked in Cooper Cronk's successor with the Tri-Colours set to unveil teen sensation Sam Walker.
Walker was the most sought after youngster in the NRL and was courted by several clubs and Rugby Australia but it's understood he has penned a two-year deal with the Roosters.
The 16-year-old was on a development deal with Brisbane however the Broncos let the talented playmaker slip through their fingers.
He has been touted as the most gifted player to emerge since Kalyn Ponga and will be eligible to play first-grade midway through next year.
He last week guided the Queensland under-18s to a win over NSW in a State of Origin curtain-raiser at Suncorp Stadium.
He recently met with Roosters coach Trent Robinson and Luke Keary, who he looks set to partner in the halves when Cronk retires at the end of 2019.
"It was really good to sit down and learn. Trent Robinson is the first head (NRL) coach to speak to me about the way I play and I picked up little tips," Walker told QRL.com earlier in the month.
"Trent is the best coach in the NRL at the moment and it is good to hear from the best. I’ve only ever had my dad and uncle (Shane) correct my game and encourage me how to play, so it was really good to hear his thoughts on how I can become a better player, because I am always learning at the moment.
"I am turning 17 very soon and I know I need to get better and improve."
AAP
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Even with absences we still had the cattle to make the playoffs. As it was, we nearly stumbled our way into the top 8. Which shows just how easy it was to get there. And still we failed. As for Razor, there are many instances of him patching up the Crusaders roster. Numerous. Several players I'd never heard of. Also, using AB legend John Afoa was a classic.
But, some of the games we were losing were from schoolboy errors, or downright confusion. Either the players were really dumb (they weren’t) or they were poorly coached. Given the repetitive nature of errors, brain fades, poor decision making, & loose structures, this all lands with the coaching group.
With only six playoff spots now in SR, & Aussie franchises now consolidated to four, 2025 looks like a tight one. I'm picking we'll have to tough it out under Penney & hope for the best.
Go to commentsAgree we need a 10, 12, 13 refresh. ASAP. Well, next season now lol. Reiko should be put back on the wing. He'll be an absolute menace there. Imagine 11 Reiko 14 Clarke 15 Jordan as the backfield unit.
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