South Sydney Rabbitohs have met with Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker in an attempt to lure the premiership-winning playmaker away from their arch rivals, with the Roosters prepared to move him immediately after contract extension negotiations spectacularly unravelled two weeks ago.
Rabbitohs officials met with Walker in Brisbane, where he is part of the Kangaroos World Cup squad, sources not authorised to speak publicly said. Walker remains contracted to the premiers until the end of next year, but the Roosters are ready to get him off the books after the Queensland half requested additional time to consider a deal.
The Rabbitohs are open to taking Walker straight away but lack the salary cap space to meet his contract figure of about $1 million a year. Several high-profile Rabbitohs are off contract from 2028, including Latrell Mitchell, Campbell Graham and Jack Wighton, but none have been asked to make way immediately.
The Roosters would likely need to chip in part of Walker’s freight for an immediate move, but it is unlikely they would subsidise a move to their fiercest rivals as they did with Brandon Smith. The Roosters could consider making a play for Graham given they have lost star outside backs Mark Nawaqanitawase (rugby) and Daniel Tupou (retirement).
Other clubs have been linked. PNG Chiefs coach Willie Peters has stated there is interest in Walker after the club missed out on Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary and Titans youngster Zane Harrison. Canterbury has also been touted as a potential destination if Matt Burton seeks an immediate release to join the Perth Bears. Burton has a three-year deal on the table from the Bears and will likely make a final decision after speaking with the Bulldogs.
Prospective clubs are unlikely to rush Walker given the Roosters could continue to pay his salary until just before the 2027 season kicks off. Walker is one of 11 Kangaroos players who officially became free agents on November 1. The World Cup stars are likely to turn attention to their long-term futures after the final against New Zealand on Sunday.
Cody Walker is close to re-signing with Souths for next year, while other Rabbitohs halves options include Ashton Ward, Jayden Sullivan and utility Jamie Humphreys, who this week signed a two-year contract extension.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- A potential move by Sam Walker would reshape the halves for both foundation clubs, directly affecting the NRL premiership race and one of the game's fiercest rivalries.
- The Rabbitohs' salary cap squeeze highlights the growing challenge clubs face in assembling high-priced rosters under the cap, with implications for player movement and contract negotiations league-wide.
- Walker's future will be resolved soon after the World Cup final, making this a key storyline to watch in the NRL off-season.
Background
Sam Walker, 24, is a Queensland-raised halfback who won an NRL premiership with the Roosters in 2024. He has been a regular in the Kangaroos squad and is considered one of the game's most talented playmakers. The Rabbitohs and Roosters are both foundation clubs with a storied rivalry dating back over a century.
Key Perspectives
Rabbitohs: Are open to signing Walker immediately but cannot accommodate his full salary under the cap, and have not asked any high-profile players to make way.
Roosters: Are prepared to move Walker immediately but are unlikely to subsidise a transfer to South Sydney, their fiercest rival.
PNG Chiefs coach Willie Peters: Has stated interest in Walker after missing out on other targets.
What to Watch
- The World Cup final against New Zealand on Sunday; players including Walker are expected to discuss their futures afterward.
- Whether Matt Burton decides to seek a release from Canterbury to join the Perth Bears, which could open a spot for Walker at the Bulldogs.
- Whether the Roosters and Rabbitohs can negotiate a deal that works for both sides, or if Walker remains on the Roosters' books until 2027.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedSouth Sydney officials have met with Roosters halfback Sam Walker to try to lure him from the Roosters.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “South Sydney officials have met with Sam Walker in a bid to lure the premiership-winning halfback from arch rivals the Roosters.”
- SupportedRabbitohs officials met Walker in Brisbane, where he is part of the Kangaroos World Cup squad.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Sources not authorised to speak publicly said the Rabbitohs had met with Walker in Brisbane, where he is part of the Kangaroos World Cup squad.”
- SupportedThe Roosters are prepared to move Walker immediately after contract extension talks unravelled two weeks ago.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “they are prepared to get him off the books immediately after contract extension talks spectacularly unravelled two weeks ago after the Queensland half requested additional time to consider the deal.”
- SupportedWalker requested additional time to consider the contract extension deal.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “after the Queensland half requested additional time to consider the deal.”
- SupportedWalker is contracted to the Roosters until the end of next year.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Walker remains contracted to the premiers until the end of next year”
- SupportedThe Rabbitohs lack salary-cap space to meet Walker's contract figure of about $1 million a year.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “don’t have the salary cap space to meet his contract figure of about $1 million a year.”
- SupportedLatrell Mitchell, Campbell Graham and Jack Wighton are among high-profile Rabbitohs off contract from 2028, and none have been asked to make way immediately.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “While several high-profile Rabbitohs are off contract from 2028 – including Latrell Mitchell, Campbell Graham and Jack Wighton – none of them have been asked to make way immediately.”
- SupportedThe Roosters would likely need to contribute to Walker's salary for an immediate move, but are unlikely to subsidise a move to the Rabbitohs.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The Roosters would likely need to chip in part of Walker’s freight to get him to move immediately, given most clubs don’t have the salary cap space to get near his asking price. However, it’s unlikely the Roosters would subsidise a move to their fiercest rivals”
- SupportedPNG Chiefs coach Willie Peters has said there is interest in Walker after the club missed out on Nathan Cleary and Zane Harrison.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “PNG Chiefs coach Willie Peters has stated there is interest in Walker after the club missed out on Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary and Titans youngster Zane Harrison.”
- SupportedMatt Burton has a three-year deal on the table from the Bears and is likely to decide after speaking with the Bulldogs.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Burton has a three-year deal on the table from the Bears , but will likely make a final decision after speaking with the Bulldogs.”
- SupportedWalker is one of 11 Kangaroos players who became free agents on November 1.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Walker is one of 11 Kangaroos players who officially became free agents on November 1.”
- SupportedThe Roosters could continue paying Walker's salary until just before the 2027 season starts, so prospective clubs are unlikely to rush to sign him.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Prospective clubs are unlikely to be in a rush to take Walker, given the Roosters could continue to pay his salary until just before the 2027 season kicks off.”