The halves combination of Daly Cherry-Evans and Sam Walker may be the present of the Sydney Roosters halves, but Toby Rodwell has shown why he is considered by many to be the future of the club.
A day after Cherry-Evans and Walker had a field day against the Dragons on Anzac Day, Rodwell did the exact same thing one day later as he led the club’s NSW Cup side to a 20-point victory against the Red V.
Controlling the attack, the 2025 Under-19s NSW Blues representative recorded three line-break assists and four try assists to go with 110 running metres, 228 kicking metres and one forced dropout.
Contracted until the end of 2028, Rodwell led the Tricolours to the Under-19s SG Ball Cup title less than 12 months ago and was presented with the Harry Phipps Rising Star award the year before in 2024.
Earmarked as the future No.7 of the Roosters, his rapid rise has also seen him play in the NRL Pre-Season Challenge and earn Australian Schoolboys honours. He is the son of Illawarra Steelers legend Brett Rodwell.
“It’s awesome (wearing the Roosters jersey). Growing up and playing Harold Matts and now SG Ball, I really love the club and all the people around it,” he said.
“It’s a bit of pressure (signing a long-term deal), but I also know that it’s a bit of a long-term thing, and I’m just going to take it year by year.”
All EYES WERE ON….
Ashton Ward returned to the field from injury last round and came back in fine form with two try assists and two line-break assists in the Rabbitohs victory over the Storm.
Meanwhile, don’t be surprised if opposing players Moses Leo and Lazarus Vaalepu earn a call-up to play for the Storm this week, with coach Craig Bellamy promising to make mass changes.
Leo had an outstanding game-high 243 running metres (108 of those being post-contact), while Vaalepu had 143 metres and 24 tackles despite coming off the interchange bench.
Liam Ison may have finally returned from a long injury lay-off for Newtown, but it was opposing forward LoganSpinks who was the star of the show with two tries as he continues to press to play in the NRL.
Despite only playing 40 minutes, Dragons forward Dylan Egan crossed over for a double and had 78 metres from just six carries as he returned from a stint on the sidelines due to injury.
He may not be playing NRL at the moment due to the signing of Reece Robson but Benaiah Ioelu can’t put a step wrong in NSW Cup with another strong display that included two try assists and two line-break assists.
Dolphins winger Jack Bostock returned to the field for the first time since rupturing his ACL and couldn’t have asked for a better first match as he recorded two tries for Redcliffe.
A former Under-19s QLD Maroons representative, Jamal Shibasaki – the younger brother of Gehamat – had his best showing since making the move from the Cowboys to the Brisbane Broncos.
Playing alongside AntonioVerhoeven, CameronBukowski and BayleySironen, he had two line-breaks, one try and 95 running metres off nine carries for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Thomas Duffy didn’t miss a beat for the Souths Logan Magpies as he nears an extension with the Broncos. The talented half provided two try assists and two line-break assists.
NSW CUP STANDOUTS
Still fighting for a spot in the NRL line-up, Thomas Fletcher had his most impressive performance in a Rabbitohs jersey to date with three tries and 197 running metres on the edge.
The North Sydney Bears shocked the Warriors with a 40-22 win, but multiple players impressed rather than a single individual.
However, on the other side of the field, it was young half Jack Thompson who outshone Jett Cleary with two try assists and two line-break assists.
If Jahream Bula is unavailable for the Tigers this round, expect Heath Mason to come under consideration to replace him at the back of the field after he scored a try and had 226 metres.
Able to play multiple positions, Ethan Alaia stood out for the Raiders.
With no Coby Black, Alaia transitioned into the halfback role and had three line-breaks and a try while Chevy Stewart made 233 metres after switching back to fullback from the centres.
Siteni Taukamo scored a hat-trick for the Knights, but they were outclassed by a Penrith outfit led by forward duo Tom Ale and Luron Patea, which saw them lose by 16 points.
Richard Penisini – the younger brother of Will – scored three tries against the Sea Eagles as five-eighth LorenzoTalataina continues to rack up try assists with ease.
Former NRL standout Tex Hoy accompanied young gun Joey Walsh in the halves for Manly but unfortunately his two tries and one line-break were unable to get them over the line against the Eels.
Roosters fullback Cody Ramsey had 215 running metres, two line-break assists and a try assist in the club’s victory against the Dragons as he remains in good form as the back-up for James Tedesco.
QLD CUP STANDOUTS
Five-eighth LindonMcGrady scored three tries for the Tweed Seagulls, but it wasn’t enough to get the win as they lost to Central Queensland Capras by two points.
The Capras were led by dummy-half Trey Brown (two line-break assists) who has become a regular feature in this column, while centre Rodrick Tai registered over 150 running metres.
In one of the best performances of the season, Cook Islands international Esom Ioka scored four tries for the Brisbane Tigers in their win against the Townsville Blackhawks.
As the winger ran for 207 metres and had three line-breaks, teammate Zach Lamont continues to find great form and had two try assists and two line-break assists in the halves.
Redcliffe Dolphins halfback Joshua James had three try assists in the club’s win against the Norths Devils but it was Oryn Keeley who really stood out in the forwards, playing on the edge.
Cassius Cowley, another Cook Islands international, couldn’t put a step wrong in Wynnum Manly Seagulls’ 24-point win over the Western Clydesdales as he finished with two try assists and led the attack from the halves.
Gold Coast Titans duo Jaylan De Groot (two line-breaks, one try, 149 metres) and Tony Francis (one line-break assist, 247 metres) had strong showings for the Ipswich Jets as they continue to put pressure on the club’s incumbent outside backs.
Despite losing to the Sunshine Coast Falcons by six points, Magpies centre Mitchell Owen was on fire.
Not only did the outside back outshine the rest of the players on the field but he had one try, 185 running metres and two line-breaks during the contest.
Fullback Lachlan West and halfback Guy Hamilton led the Burleigh Bears to a decisive 38-point victory against the PNG Hunters, which saw six different try-scorers including Phillip Coates.
