‘Of course’ Sandon Smith still part of Roosters’ plans
Jasper Bruce |
Trent Robinson says Sandon Smith “of course” remains part of the Sydney Roosters’ long-term plans despite the coach’s eyebrow-raising call to preference Chad Townsend for an NRL recall.
Townsend, 34, will face former side Cronulla on Friday for his first NRL game since round five as the Roosters begin a short stint without injured rookie playmaker Hugo Savala (wrist).
Smith and Savala have been the Roosters’ halves pairing for the majority of a solid season while the club waited for first-choice halfback Sam Walker to recover from knee and thumb injuries.
When Savala pulled up sore from last week’s win over St George Illawarra, Smith appeared the likeliest man to play next to Walker for the newly-fit halfback’s second game of 2025.
But Robinson said he and Smith have had two conversations in which the coach has told the 22-year-old junior product he must improve before he can return to the top flight.
“We’ve had them after the last game and then again on Monday arvo,” he said.
“There’s been some good footy, but we really want that combination and being able to nail your role in the combinations around you.
“I know Sandon can play better.”
Smith is contracted until the end of next season so could begin negotiating with rival clubs for 2027 in November.
If the Roosters were to sign Daly Cherry-Evans as expected, he would fall further down the pecking next season, seemingly the fourth-choice half behind Walker, Savala and the mooted recruit.
Robinson would not specify how Smith could improve, but was emphatic when asked whether he was still part of the club’s plans.
“Of course,” he said.
“I just made it clear on what he’s got to do and what he’s got to do in reserve grade and what we’re expecting of him.”
Robinson said his halves decision was also about rewarding premiership winner Townsend, brought to the Roosters this year to help nurture the young halves.
“It’s really nice when you tell a 280-odd gamer that he’s playing again, the passion and the joy that’s in someone’s eyes when you tell them that,” Robinson said.
“His character has been incredible during this period of time, his support and his coaching of the other guys and his energy that goes to reserve grade, it’s quite rare.
“He’s a real student of the game. He’s one of the only players that’ll take home the stats package and study the game on his computer at home. He’s a footy nerd.
“He deserves his chance.”
Robinson expected Walker would improve over the coming weeks after a hot-and-cold performance against the Dragons, his first NRL game in more than 300 days.
“He has got a lot to go. It was great to have him back, he’s good energy,” Robinson said.
“He’ll start to build those combinations every minute that he plays, every training session he has with them.”
AAP
