Roosters 2022 NRL Squad Breakdown

With the NRL season just around the corner, Roosters Members and supporters old and new will be excited to see who will represent them in the famous Red, White and Blue in 2022. 

From boom rookies to experienced campaigners and returning faces, the 2022 Sydney Roosters NRL squad has a strong balance of strike, power and speed from top to bottom.

The Sydney Roosters 2022 NRL squad led by Head Coach Trent Robinson is as follows:*

*as of Tuesday 23 November 2021.

Adam Keighran

Adam Keighran enters his second season at Bondi following an impressive 2021 which saw him take ownership of goalkicking duties by season's end.

The Central Coast product also showcased his versatility, moving between lock, hooker, five-eighth and the centres, proving to be a valuable member of the squad.

Angus Crichton

Widely considered as one of the best second rowers in the game, Angus Crichton has become a leader amongst the Roosters forward pack in recent seasons.

Equally adept at playing at second row, centre and even lock, the NSW State of Origin representative had a breakout season in 2021 and will be aiming to continue his trajectory at both Club and state level.

Ben Marschke

Starting 2021 on the bench for the North Sydney Bears in NSW Cup, Ben Marschke grew with each game in the top grade after making his NRL debut in Round 4. 

A nuggety hooker with a high work ethic, Marschke will be looking to add to his game tally in the Red, White and Blue in 2022, after proving his worth to the side in his rookie season.

Ben Thomas

One of the reinforcements of 2021, Ben Thomas is a burly front rower who packs plenty of punch in each and every carry he makes.

A member of the Club's NYC Premiership-winning side in 2016, BT will be aiming to make the next step in 2022 as a regular member of the starting seventeen.

Connor Watson

Connor Watson returns to his junior Club after a four-year stint in Newcastle much to the delight of Roosters Members, teammates and coaches alike.

One of the most versatile players in the competition and a proud Indigenous man, Watson returns a more confident and complete player, equally adept at playing at fullback, hooker, lock and in the halves as he looks to claim the no.14 jersey.

Connor is an exciting player and a skilled performer across a number of positions. He is also a really good person, so we’re looking forward to welcoming him back to the Club.

Trent Robinson Sydney Roosters Head Coach

Billy Smith

With an opportunity to claim a starting spot in the Roosters' backline, Billy Smith will be one to watch in 2022.

An out-and-out centre with a strong build and plenty of conviction in his playing style and still just 22 years old, Smith has established himself as a try-scorer with plenty of potential.

Daniel Suluka-Fifita

A young and damaging forward, Daniel Suluka-Fifita has made it his goal to feature in as many games as possible for the Roosters in 2022.

His fierce running style and brutal defence will once again be on show this upcoming season as he looks to build upon his thirteen first-grade games.

Daniel Tupou

The most experienced member of the Roosters backline, Daniel Tupou will extend his career to an eleventh season in 2022.

A three-time premiership winner and a World Club Challenge winner, Tupou has made over 200 appearances in Roosters colours and sits in third place on the Club's try-scoring tally - with second place well within striking distance in 2022.

The NRL arena isn't the only stage where he has dominated, with seven matches for NSW - including an Origin series win in 2014 - and a regular spot in the Tongan International line-up, having also represented Australia in the green and gold.

Drew Hutchison

Starting his career at the Dragons, Drew Hutchison has developed into a reliable member of the squad over the past few seasons at Bondi.

Playing his most consistent season to date in 2021 after taking ownership of the no.6 jersey in the absence of Luke Keary, Hutchison will have an opportunity to stand alongside the man he succeeded in 2022. 

Egan Butcher

Younger brother of fellow Roosters forward Nat, Egan Butcher has come through the Sydney Roosters pathways and made his much-anticipated NRL debut in 2021.

A bullocking forward with plenty of size and power, the 21-year-old will be aiming to back up his strong debut season by solidifying a spot in the top seventeen.

Fletcher Baker

After being sidelined for eighteen months with injury, Fletcher Baker had a 2021 to remember which featured a try on debut and sixteen total appearances in a strong first season in the top grade.

A middle forward with a big engine and an even bigger frame, the 22-year-old has an opportunity to become a mainstay in the Roosters' forward pack.

Freddy Lussick

Freddy Lussick enters his third NRL season with an opportunity to claim the no.9 spot still at 21 years of age and after returning from loan at St George Illawarra.

Following a 2021 season where he gained plenty of experience as the side's starting hooker in the early stages of the season, Lussick has proven to be dependable in and around the ruck, particularly in defence with a 94.9% tackle efficiency.

James Tedesco - Captain

Champion fullback James Tedesco enters his fifth season with the Roosters on the back of his fourth consecutive Jack Gibson Medal, a feat never accomplished before in the 114-year history of the Club.

Regarded as one of the best players on the planet, the dynamic fullback will be looking to continue his meteoric rise in the famous Tricolours as the Club's full-time captain in 2022.

Having already won two Premierships with the Roosters, Tedesco's dazzling style of play has also been on show in the State of Origin and International arenas, winning 3 Origin series with the NSW Blues - the most recent as captain - as well as representing Australia and Italy.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

The longest-serving and most experienced player in the squad, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves enters his thirteenth season in 2022 as the forward pack's leader and enforcer.

His accolades as a member of the Sydney Roosters includes two Clubman Of The Year awards, a Jack Gibson Medal, Premierships in 2013, 2018 and 2019, as well as a Four Nations series win in 2010 for his native New Zealand. In 2021 he became just the sixth player to play 250 matches for the Club.

Joseph Manu

Heading into the prime of his career, Joseph Manu has now become a leader within the Roosters' ranks as he heads into his seventh season in Red, White and Blue.

A two-time Premiership winner, New Zealand Kiwi, Māori All Star and a Sydney Roosters centurion, Manu is a proven performer in Trent Robinson's side, playing a number of positions with ease through the 2021 season including centre, wing, five-eighth and fullback when called upon. 

Joseph Suaalii

Such was his ability, Joseph Suaalii made his NRL debut at seventeen years of age in Round 11 of the 2021 season, scoring his maiden try in the top grade just a week later.

Although injury cut off his season after five matches, Suaalii will no doubt take the experience in his stride after holding his own in the centres and adding a youthful exuberance to the backline.

Kevin Naiqama

Kevin Naiqama returns to Australia after a successful three-year stint at Super League club St Helens, where he played an integral part in the club's three consecutive championships, including his two-try performance in the 2021 Super League Grand Final which saw him claim the Harry Sunderland Medal as man of the match.

A 113-game veteran, the Fiji Captain adds plenty of versatility and experience to the Sydney Roosters backline, able to play in the centres, on the wing and at fullback, having done so at club and international level. 

Lachlan Lam

A local junior now heading into his third season of first grade, Lachlan Lam is one of the contenders to start in the halves in season 2022.

Playing a majority of the side's matches last season, Lam showed his selflessness and creativity by playing numerous positions on the field, including the halves, hooker and even at times in the centres, adding spark each time he touched the ball. 

Lindsay Collins

After solidifying a spot in the front row at Club level, Lindsay Collins has proven to be one of the most exciting forward prospects in the NRL.

Coming back from an ACL injury that sidelined him for the majority of 2021, Collins will be looking to emulate the aggressive, no-nonsense style which has earmarked him as a key figure of the Queensland Maroons for future seasons.

Luke Keary

Champion half Luke Keary will be looking to return to the form that saw him represent New South Wales and Australia following an ACL injury that saw him sidelined for the majority of last season.

Now a leader in the squad, which has seen him share captaincy duties with fullback James Tedesco, the 2018 Clive Churchill Medallist is a focal point of the side's attack, having guided the Roosters around the park for the past five years. 

Moala Graham-Taufa

Making his NRL debut in unique circumstances as 18th man in Round 24, 2021, Moala Graham-Taufa is a fleet-footed and acrobatic winger with try-scoring capabilities. 

Impressing in the Club's Pathways system - scoring four tries in five appearances for the North Sydney Bears last season - the 19-year-old will have an opportunity to solidify a spot in the Roosters' backline in 2022. 

Nat Butcher

A leader both on and off the field, fan favourite Nat Butcher has become a mainstay in the Roosters side over the last few years.

Noted for his high work rate both with and without the ball, Nat had the opportunity to play alongside younger brother and fellow forward Egan in 2021 in what was a highlight of the season.

Away from football, Nat has also been prevalent in the Club's community work - notably with Ronald McDonald House - and was nominated for the NRL's Ken Stephens Community Award. 

Naufahu Whyte

A second rower with plenty of potential, Naufahu has been in the Sydney Roosters' system for a number of years since arriving at the Club from Auckland.

Naufahu made his NRL debut in Round 22, 2021 - becoming Sydney Rooster #1205 - and showed his physicality and toughness in a short but impressive stint coming from the interchange bench in the 21-20 victory.

Paul Momirovski

Outside back Paul Momirovski returns to the Roosters as a Premiership-winner keen to add to the Club's extensive trophy cabinet, which included the 2016 NYC Premiership triumph.

Able to play anywhere in the backline and a handy goalkicker to boot, Momirovski will be aiming to solidify a starting spot ahead of what is an exciting season 2022.

Renouf Atoni

Hulking forward Renouf Atoni joins the Roosters on a two-year deal beginning in 2022 with hopes of owning a spot in the side's dynamic engine room.

A front rower by trade, the 25-year-old New Zealander spent four seasons at Canterbury-Bankstown, notching 40 appearances since debuting in 2018.

Sam Verrills

Ready to take hold of the Club's no.9 jersey, Sam Verrills has overcome injury and proven to be one of the most exciting young rakes in the competition.

With great vision in the ruck and a knack of putting teammates over to score from close range, Verrills is a Premiership winner at just 22 years of age and will be aiming for higher honours in 2022.  

Sam Walker

After claiming the NRL's Dally M Rookie of the Year as well as the Club's Harry Phipps Rising Star Award in 2021, Sam Walker will have his eyes set on taking ownership of the Roosters no.7 jersey.

An exciting young prospect who also claimed numerous man of the match awards in his rookie season including the Ashton-Collier Medal as man of the match in the 2021 Anzac Day Cup, Walker is noted for his off-the-cuff brand of play and daring with the ball in hand.

Siosiua Taukeiaho

Now entrenched in a leadership role in the side, veteran Siosiua Taukeiaho has provided the Roosters with a platform with his brutal running and high workrate since 2015, having reached the 150 game milestone in Club colours.

The softly spoken enforcer is seen as a mentor to the younger members of the Tricolours' forward pack, having represented Tonga on eleven occasions at representative level and being a member of the 2018 and 2019 Premiership-winning sides.

Sitili Tupouniua

Continuing his development as a strike weapon out wide, fan favourite Sitili Tupouniua is one of the contenders to lock down a spot in the Roosters' back row in 2022.

Playing a majority of last season on the right edge, Tupouniua had a breakout year which saw him on the scoresheet a record twelve times, and feature in 24 matches - both personal bests.

Tuku Hau Tapuha

A towering young front rower who packs plenty of punch, Tuku Hau Tapuha did not look out of place in his three NRL matches in 2021.

Making his debut in Round 9 against Parramatta, the 20-year-old forward has been earmarked as a future member of the side's starting forward pack.

Victor Radley

A proud Roosters junior, Victor Radley is a passionate firebrand that wears his heart on his sleeve each and every time he puts on the Red, White and Blue jersey.

Returning from an ACL reconstruction in the early rounds of 2021, Radley has proven to be an integral member of the side as a ball-playing forward and will have his eyes on a sky blue jersey and another Premiership ring in 2022.