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Rugby Australia fail in attempt to lure 16-year-old prodigy from NRL


Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
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The Sydney Roosters appear to have locked in Cooper Cronk’s successor with the Tri-Colours set to unveil teen sensation Sam Walker.

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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.

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“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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Phantom 1 hour ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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