NRL.com: Roosters 2023 Overview & Team Talk
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The Roosters will go into the 2023 season optimistic they've got the squad that can challenge for a title after a shock finals exit in week one last year.
For a club who plays for premierships and are notable contenders each year, the last three since they lifted the trophy in 2019 will feel a lot longer for their fanbase, who are used to and always demand success.
A big arrival from the Storm - Kiwis hooker Brandon Smith - should give the Tricolours a new level of attack in 2023 with the 26-year-old arriving to Bondi in the prime of his career.
The emergence of Joseph Suaalii, who got plenty of game time, plus the likes of Sam Walker and Nat Butcher coming into their own, were among the positives for Trent Robinson's side in 2022.
Despite the Roosters squad evolving since their last title in 2019, you just get the feeling they're building to something and are a threat again in the upcoming season.
Match: Dolphins v Roosters
Round 1 -
home Team
Dolphins
3rd Position
away Team
Roosters
15th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Predicted Round 1 team
- James Tedesco
- Daniel Tupou
- Joey Manu
- Joseph Sua'ali'i
- Jaxson Paulo
- Luke Keary
- Sam Walker
- Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
- Brandon Smith
- Lindsay Collins
- Egan Butcher
- Nat Butcher
- Victor Radley
- Jake Turpin
- Terrell May
- Fletcher Baker
- Matthew Lodge
Other: Sitili Tupouniua (injured), Billy Smith (injured), Connor Watson (injured), Angus Crichton (personal leave), Corey Allan, Paul Momirovski, Drew Hutchison, Siua Wong, Naufau Whyte, Robert Toia, Tukupa Hau Tapuha.
The best NRL tries from the Roosters in 2022
Squad watch
- Squad spots filled: 28/30
The Roosters have a strong, balanced squad with versatility at a premium in key positions from the backline to the engine room.
James Tedesco's back-up fullback options are an absolute luxury with Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii while Brandon Smith has Jake Turpin as a back-up should the bulldozer ever break down.
Drew Hutchison has played the role of back-up half for the past four years and will do so again in 2023. He will likely start the season in the 17-man squad as Connor Watson recovers from a knee injury suffered at training in January.
If anything, that's where the Roosters may look to target beefing up before the season kicks off after the departures of Lachlan Lam and Adam Keighran in the off-season.
Matt Lodge is on a train and trial deal at the club but that is expected to be sorted once the CBA is finalised by the NRL. Another middle could also be handy with two spots left on the roster.
Other additions include former Bulldog Corey Allan and South Sydney winger Jaxson Paulo, who will add depth in the backline.
Health watch
Luke Keary copped a knock to the jaw at training in February and was ruled out of the Pre-season Challenge matches but should be available in Round 1.
Joey Manu (facial fracture) is the main concern with the golden boot winner racing the clock for the season opener against the Dolphins.
Sitili Tupouniua will be eight months post-ACL injury when Round 1 rolls around so expect the Roosters back-rower to take his time and be back in the middle of the season.
The same applies for Billy Smith, who has had a difficult run of setbacks during his time at the Roosters and will aim for a mid-year return.
Connor Watson's knee injury is expected to rule him out for most of the 2023 season while Angus Crichton has taken indefinite personal leave due to mental health with no timeframe set for his return.
Most contentious position
The starting side all but picks itself but a couple of positions remain undecided in the long run with Nat Butcher's form in the second half of 2022 dominant on the edge ahead of Sitili Tupouniua's expected return mid-season.
The Tricolours' left centre spot has also been an area they've tinkered with over the past 12 months with Paul Momirovski, Drew Hutchison, Oliver Gildart, Billy Smith and Kevin Naiqama among the players who have filled the position.
Jaxson Paulo and Corey Allan will add to a backline that has plenty of versatility and could see someone like Joseph Suaalii move into the centres by season's end.
Biggest strength
The Roosters' versatility ranks among the best in the competition with Brandon Smith's signing giving the side a new style of attack that should see them play through the middle a lot more.
All the key men have years of experience with each other under their belt while the club's injury toll over the break is not as substantial as what it's once been.
They've solved the halves dilemma and looked a new team once Luke Keary and Sam Walker swapped sides of the field.
Walker, entering his third season in the NRL, is in line for one of his best years yet.
Biggest question mark
The forward pack stocks took another hit in the summer with Siosiua Taukeiaho off to the Super League.
That leaves only Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Lindsay Collins and Matt Lodge (contract pending) as the most recognised middles at the club.
Hargreaves is likely playing his final year at the club in 2023 while Collins returns from the World Cup as a Kangaroo.
Both are quality players who bring aggression to the side but their discipline can let them down. It's something the Roosters can ill-afford after their week one finals exit, to lose players through their own wrongdoing in 2023.
