Roosters reveal RTS replacement

[JAF]

SYDNEY Roosters coach Trent Robinson has given the clearest indication yet on who will replace Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at fullback next season.

With the Roosters No. 1 set to join the Warriors in 2016, Robinson has a number of options at his disposal despite missing out on signing South Sydney gun Alex Johnston.



While it is expected injured centre Blake Ferguson will fill the void next season, Robinson revealed 19-year-old Jackson Hastings is also in the running for the position.


Jackson Hastings after winning the Junior Kangaroos V Junior Kiwis match.Source: News Corp Australia
Hastings joined the Roosters last year and has been used in a utility capacity during his four NRL appearances.

“Jackson Hastings is an outstanding young kid and fullback as well,” Robinson told Triple M.

“He played it in the Australian Under 20s. He’s a very good organiser and then we’ve got guys like Blake (Ferguson) who could possibly adapt as well.

“Shaun (Kenny-Dowall) re-signing has really helped knowing that we’ve got two centres who can play if Blake is needed to go back (to fullback).

“There will be a couple of guys training in that position, most notably Jackson Hastings and Blake Ferguson.”

Robinson said Ferguson gives the Roosters options thanks to his ability to play any position in the backline.


Latrell Mitchell of the Roosters makes a break.Source: News Corp Australia
Holden Cup fullback Latrell Mitchell has been touted as the long-term heir to the role but Robinson says they won’t be rushing the 17-year-old Taree product.

Mitchell has been likened to a young Greg Inglis who offers a genuine ball-playing option in attack.

But similar to Tuivasa-Sheck, Mitchell will be blooded on the wing as he makes his transition to the NRL.

“Latrell will come on in that position over the next couple of years,” Robinson said of the Australian schoolboy playing fullback.

“Wing may be his starting position.”

The Roosters have NSW winger Daniel Tupou off-contract at the end of the year, while the Super League’s leading try scorer Joe Burgess also joins the club from Wigan on a three-year-deal from 2016.

[ChookMaster]

Not sold on Hastings at Fb. Fergo seems the best option we have at the moment.

[Vasco]

Either way, it will be a massive drop in class.

Fullback is such an important position these days, we will be much weaker with RTS leaving.

Big stuff up from management.

[ROC181]

Either way, it will be a massive drop in class.

Fullback is such an important position these days, we will be much weaker with RTS leaving.

Big stuff up from management.

The management are easy to blame but wot if RTS was just delaying things? I heard or read that the owner of the Warriors had approached RTS during the world cup in 2013/14. If RTS was still trying to make up his mind, he surely wasn't going to sign anything with us.

[Guest]

What happened to the Iron Sheik?

[Hawkeye]

What happened to the Iron Sheik?

Is he still hanging round Nickolai Volkov ?

[ism22]

Does anybody else feel mislead by the title?

It's like... 'ROOSTERS REVEAL LATEST NEW SIGNING' followed by... 'here's a list of all players who are currently on the market. Of course, the club also has a bunch of current players who could do the job. Robbo says he hasn't decided who to sign yet, if anybody...'

[Johnny Tobin]

Did you guys see The Sheik doco about The Iron Sheik?

It's great. Absolutely shattering but great.

I saw them when they toured in the 80's. Even Junkyard Dog was there.

[Easts75]

Did you guys see The Sheik doco about The Iron Sheik?

It's great. Absolutely shattering but great.

I saw them when they toured in the 80's. Even Junkyard Dog was there.

LOL I saw Junkyard Dog and co. in about 85 at The Entertainment Centre, with my figurine's in hand !!!!!!

[Guest]

Did you guys see The Sheik doco about The Iron Sheik?

It's great. Absolutely shattering but great.

I saw them when they toured in the 80's. Even Junkyard Dog was there.

I read about it and would really like to see it. I understand things went pretty bad for him.

[Rooster_6]

Hastings makes the most logical sense for mine. He's played a lot of fullback in juniors and is a long term prospect in the halves. He'll be a very different player to RTS that's for sure, we wont get anywhere near the same sort of dynamic and power running game of Sheck but he's a far better ball player than Sheck will ever be. Hastings toughness, workrate & class with hold him in high stead to be a fullback with the long term plan being to transition him into the halves and Latrell into fullback I haven't heard a better option yet tbh.

[Tommy Smith]

Kurt Gidley - 2 yr deal.

Make it happen and end the search

[Jacks Fur Coat]

I wouldn't mind signing Sandow as a stop gap number 1 for a year with Braith Anasta to give him some one on one coaching.

[davos]

Hastings makes the most logical sense for mine. He's played a lot of fullback in juniors and is a long term prospect in the halves. He'll be a very different player to RTS that's for sure, we wont get anywhere near the same sort of dynamic and power running game of Sheck but he's a far better ball player than Sheck will ever be. Hastings toughness, workrate & class with hold him in high stead to be a fullback with the long term plan being to transition him into the halves and Latrell into fullback I haven't heard a better option yet tbh.

Hmmm what about Nene who is an actual FB. Spent most of his time at fb in the juniors.

Hasn't really made a home for himself on the wing, but looks good under the highball and would be dangerous as a support player in attack.

[davos]

Kurt Gidley - 2 yr deal.

Make it happen and end the search

Hahahaha yeah truest . Gidley is one of the most overrated players of all time, and that is not an exaggeration.

How funny was it when they made him origin captain and played him off the bench. I was a fan of his brother tho. One of the best attacking centres I have ever seen in terms of setting up trys for his outside winger.