The Sydney Roosters are once again playing the long game, with reports suggesting the club is deliberately preserving significant salary cap space for the 2027 and 2028 NRL seasons as part of a bold recruitment strategy centred on luring elite, code-hopping stars back to the Tricolours. At the heart of the plan are three familiar names: Joseph Manu, Joseph Suaalii and Mark Nawaqanitawase, all of whom have either already switched codes or are set to do so in the coming years.
The Roosters have long been regarded as one of the NRL’s most strategic and forward-thinking clubs, often planning several seasons ahead rather than focusing solely on immediate success. This approach appears to be continuing, with club powerbrokers reportedly willing to exercise patience and restraint in the player market now to create future opportunities later. Rather than spending heavily on short-term signings, the Roosters are believed to be structuring contracts and roster decisions to ensure flexibility when the time comes.
Joseph Manu looms as one of the most intriguing prospects. A club stalwart and fan favourite, Manu departed the Roosters at the end of the 2024 season to pursue a career in rugby union overseas. While his exit left a significant hole in the Roosters’ backline, it also created salary cap breathing room. If Manu decides to return to the NRL after his rugby stint, the Roosters clearly want to be at the front of the queue, financially prepared to bring him back into the fold.
Joseph Suaalii’s situation is similar, though his profile may be even bigger. The gifted young athlete made headlines with his high-profile switch to rugby union, a move that generated widespread attention beyond the league world. Despite his departure, the Roosters are understood to have maintained a strong relationship with Suaalii, keeping the door open for a potential return. By holding cap space for 2027 and beyond, the club could position itself to outbid rivals should Suaalii decide the NRL is where his long-term future lies.
Mark Nawaqanitawase is another name firmly on the Roosters’ radar. The explosive outside back, who has already committed to switching codes, represents the type of athletic, marketable talent modern clubs crave. His potential return to league would spark intense competition across the NRL, making the Roosters’ forward planning all the more significant.
This strategy is not without risk. Holding cap space means resisting the temptation to strengthen the squad in the short term, which could place pressure on depth and performance if injuries or form slumps strike. However, the Roosters’ confidence in their development pathways and recruitment system suggests they believe the reward outweighs the risk.
Ultimately, the Roosters’ willingness to plan years in advance reflects their ambition to remain a powerhouse club both on and off the field. By keeping their books clean and options open, they are sending a clear message: if Manu, Suaalii or Nawaqanitawase want to come home, the Roosters intend to be ready. Sydney Roosters are once again playing the long game, with reports suggesting the club is deliberately preserving significant salary cap space for the 2027 and 2028 NRL seasons as part of a bold recruitment strategy centred on luring elite, code-hopping stars back to the Tricolours. At the heart of the plan are three familiar names: Joseph Manu, Joseph Suaalii and Mark Nawaqanitawase, all of whom have either already switched codes or are set to do so in the coming years.
The Roosters have long been regarded as one of the NRL’s most strategic and forward-thinking clubs, often planning several seasons ahead rather than focusing solely on immediate success. This approach appears to be continuing, with club powerbrokers reportedly willing to exercise patience and restraint in the player market now to create future opportunities later. Rather than spending heavily on short-term signings, the Roosters are believed to be structuring contracts and roster decisions to ensure flexibility when the time comes.
Joseph Manu looms as one of the most intriguing prospects. A club stalwart and fan favourite, Manu departed the Roosters at the end of the 2024 season to pursue a career in rugby union overseas. While his exit left a significant hole in the Roosters’ backline, it also created salary cap breathing room. If Manu decides to return to the NRL after his rugby stint, the Roosters clearly want to be at the front of the queue, financially prepared to bring him back into the fold.
Joseph Suaalii’s situation is similar, though his profile may be even bigger. The gifted young athlete made headlines with his high-profile switch to rugby union, a move that generated widespread attention beyond the league world. Despite his departure, the Roosters are understood to have maintained a strong relationship with Suaalii, keeping the door open for a potential return. By holding cap space for 2027 and beyond, the club could position itself to outbid rivals should Suaalii decide the NRL is where his long-term future lies.
Mark Nawaqanitawase is another name firmly on the Roosters’ radar. The explosive outside back, who has already committed to switching codes, represents the type of athletic, marketable talent modern clubs crave. His potential return to league would spark intense competition across the NRL, making the Roosters’ forward planning all the more significant.
This strategy is not without risk. Holding cap space means resisting the temptation to strengthen the squad in the short term, which could place pressure on depth and performance if injuries or form slumps strike. However, the Roosters’ confidence in their development pathways and recruitment system suggests they believe the reward outweighs the risk.
Ultimately, the Roosters’ willingness to plan years in advance reflects their ambition to remain a powerhouse club both on and off the field. By keeping their books clean and options open, they are sending a clear message: if Manu, Suaalii or Nawaqanitawase want to come home, the Roosters intend to be ready.
