Todd Payten speaks out after Cowboys rocked by Roosters poaching raid for Reece Robson

Cowboys coach Todd Payten has claimed the club are doing everything they can to re-sign Reece Robson with reports Trent Robinson and the Roosters are interested in bringing him to Sydney. In recent weeks reports have emerged Robson has become a target for the Roosters with their No.9 position up-in-the-air.

Brandon Smith's future at the Roosters is in limbo, despite his insistence he doesn't want to leave. And the cashed-up Roosters are reportedly interested in bringing Robson to Sydney as a replacement for Smith considering he will miss the first-half of the season after suffering an ACL injury in round 26.

While Smith has reiterated his intention to recover from his injury and win a premiership with the Roosters, it appears the club are not waiting around. And Payten has confirmed there is plenty of interest for the NSW dummy-half who is coming off contract.

The Cowboys star enjoyed a stellar 2024 campaign having played all three State of Origin games in NSW's series victory. The 26-year-old is free to negotiate with other clubs considering he is off contract in 2026. Robson was part of the Kangaroos' victorious Pacific Championships squad and the Cowboys made it clear they wanted to prioritise his extension when the series finished.

Although the Roosters' apparent interest in the No.9 has prompted a delay in any decision. Robson is from NSW and a return home could be appealing. Although Payten has finally broken his silence on the matter and claimed the Cowboys are making their moves to re-sign Robson and keep him at the club on a long-term deal.

"Yep, absolutely," Payten said about making it a priority to keep Robson. "Quality player. Plays big minutes, has hardly missed a game for the last two or three years. We understand there is interest. We have put together our best offer and as it stands, Robbo's got a decision to make. Whichever way it goes. I am unsure at the moment...let's see how it plays out."

Reece Robson might want return to Sydney

Robson is NSW-born and could be tempted to return to his home state, with the lure of linking up with the Roosters on a boosted offer a bonus. Speculation of a player swap, which would see Smith move to the Cowboys and Robson return to NSW.

However, this was fervently shut down by Smith who claimed there was no way he was returning back to Queensland. "There's a few clubs we've spoken to and Cowboys wasn't one of them. I don't think that option's really come up," Smith said on his 'Bye Round Podcast'.

RELATED:

• Cleary's sad confession about wife amid new insight into struggles

• Reece Walsh's $450,000 sacrifice that helped Broncos get Ben Hunt

"(The Robson rumour) doesn't really change anything for me at the moment. I still want to be at the Roosters, still want to be around Sydney, still want to be on The Bye Round podcast, don't want to be in Townsville in this blistering heat. To be fair, they can't force me to go there."

After the off-season, Robinson hinted the Roosters might need a cover at No.9 with Smith's injury. He also admitted Ben Hunt could have been that player, but the former Dragons captain signed with the Broncos on a two-year deal.