2016 Best Buys Sydney Roosters

NothingButLeague is looking at the best buys for each club in the National Rugby League. In this article we look at the Sydney Roosters who had a rather lackluster and disappointing end to their 2015 season after finishing as minor premiers for the third straight year in a row. With the departure of key backline stars Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and James Maloney, the Roosters have opted for a youth-oriented approach in their recruitment drive to cover the loss of these players.

3. Joe Burgess
Position: Wing
Previous Club: Wigan Warriors

Joe Burgess is an exciting young prospect recruited from the Wigan Warriors. At only 21 years of age, Burgess was the leading try-scorer for Super League in 2015 with 22 tries from 24 games and he possesses a considerable amount of speed and pace with a good finishing ability.

With these attributes, he can offer some genuine strike power for the Roosters on the flanks. Given any amount of open space and room to move, he can create attacking opportunities from any point of the field as was notably demonstrated by his length of the field try against the Broncos in the 2015 World Club Challenge. It’s those kinds of freakish tries that the Roosters will be hoping he can replicate at NRL level. He faces tough competition for the wing spot though against fellow youngsters Latrell Mitchell and Brendan Elliot so he’ll have to earn his position on merit.

2. Jayden Nikorima
Position: 5/8, Halfback, Centre, Hooker
Previous Club: Brisbane Broncos

A very promising young half who can play in a multitude of positions, Jayden Nikorima brings a wealth of talent and potential to the Roosters that has not had the chance to shine on an NRL level yet.

With a good running and passing game, Nikorima will be in the running to be the first choice back-up half should Hastings or Pearce ever be absent and he offers a great deal of utility value due to his versatility as well. An opportunity to make his first grade debut is not too far away for him and whether he fulfills that goal by slotting into the halves or potentially being used an impact player off the bench in the same sort of role his brother Kodi fulfills for the Broncos, Jayden will be eager to impress and show the Rugby League world what he’s capable of.

Given the ability of the Roosters forwards to play large minutes and the available room for a versatile player, an unorthodox start to his NRL career may be on the cards for him.

1. Ian Henderson
Position: Hooker
Previous Clubs: Sydney Roosters, Parramatta Eels, Bradford Bulls, New Zealand Warriors, Catalans Dragons

Ian Henderson is a Rugby League journeyman who will provide the Roosters with an experienced back-up Hooker in the event Jake Friend gets injured or suspended.

At the start of the 2015 season, Friend was absent for the first five rounds of the season and the Roosters used a dual rotation of Matt McIllwick and Mitch Aubusson in his absence but with the reduction in interchange and the departure of McIllwick, a seasoned player like Henderson will be handy to have around in the hooking position who can play 80 minutes and fill in comfortably should he be required during the season.