Sam Walker in eye-opening call on Ben Hunt after admission about halfback joining Roosters
Hunt appears to be edging closer to a switch to the Roosters.
Injured Roosters halfback Sam Walker has backed the club to sign rival No.7 Ben Hunt and insists he would not feel threatened by the arrival of the Maroons and Kangaroos star. Former Dragons captain Hunt appears to be edging closer to joining the Roosters, amid reports he was meeting club officials this week and had a preference to remain in Sydney after parting ways with St George-Illawarra.
Hunt has previously spoken of his desire to move back to Queensland but News Corp reported this week that the NRL veteran's preference was to remain in Sydney, where his young family is settled. It leaves the cashed-up Roosters seemingly locked in a two-horse race with the Bulldogs for the signature of Hunt, whose market value is understood to be between $700,000 - $900,000.
The Roosters have plenty of room in their salary cap to accomodate Hunt after the departures of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Joseph Suaalii, Joey Manu and Luke Keary. They've also told prop Terrell May he's free to leave if he can find another club. And Trent Robinson's side could certainly benefit from the experience and versatility that Hunt offers at halfback and hooker - following ACL injuries to Walker and Brandon Smith that are set to sideline the pair for the first half of the 2025 season.
The Chooks signed halfback Chad Townsend from the Cowboys for next season and also have Sandon Smith as part of their halves rotation. But Walker says the addition of Hunt - who could comfortably fill either role in the halves as well as hooker - would be a massive boost to the club's premiership aspirations.
“Benny Hunt is one of the best players running around in the NRL and if we can add someone of his quality into our team that would be a huge boost," Walker told The Courier Mail. And the 22-year-old halfback - who enjoyed a sensational 2024 until his season-ending ACL injury before the finals - said he would have no problems with the Roosters bringing his rival No.7 to the club.
“I have no issue with it at all,” Walker added. “It would be massive for us as a club to get Ben.” He’s played Origin and Test footy, he’s pretty much done it all in the game, so if Ben Hunt wants to come to the Roosters, I wouldn’t say no.” Roosters coach Robinson has already given a clear indication about the club's interest in Hunt after admitting this week that there were "a couple of players" in their sights.
Trent Robinson addresses Roosters links to Ben Hunt
"(The injuries) didn't only affect the back end of this year, but it also affects the start of next year as well," Robinson said. "We're really comfortable with some of the young guys coming through, but we are also looking at covering those positions if it's right. We don't feel like we're in a rush, but if it's right then we'll look at options."
A move to the Roosters would also fit Hunt's criteria of wanting to go to a club where he can win his first premiership. "He (Hunt) is an exceptional player and has done it for a long time," Robinson said. "People want a direct answer, but the thing is we've been clear about our squad for a while now.
"Ever since Luke (Keary) made his decision (to leave the NRL for the Super League), we were really clear and happy with where we were heading over the next couple of years. But if the opportunity arises to accommodate that No.7 and No.9 positions in different ways, then we will. But it has to be right for the next couple of years as well."
Former NRL player Joel Caine claimed this week that Hunt would definitely end up at the Bondi club after meeting with Chooks officials this week. Billionaire Roosters chairman Nick Politis has a habit of getting his man and Caine believes the fact Hunt is meeting with the club effectively makes the move a done deal.
"He will be a Rooster for sure," Caine said on SEN radio on Tuesday. "They just have to find their man and this will be their man... If he's meeting the Roosters, he's going to the Roosters." Club great Bryan Fletcher predicted that Hunt will play hooker if he signs with the Tri Colours, potentially working in tandem with Blues Origin star Connor Watson. Fletcher reckons Townsend will fill the Chooks' halfback role until Walker returns but also floated the possibility of Hunt featuring alongside the former Cowboys No.7 at five-eighth.
