Phil Gould has backed the Roosters’ decision to axe young halfback Sam Walker, saying he was surprised it didn’t happen sooner.
Chooks coach Trent Robinson made sweeping changes to his line-up following consecutive losses to the Storm and the Sharks.
Ahead of their Anzac Day blockbuster against St George Illawarra, Robinson has dumped 20-year-old Walker from the team, moved Luke Keary to the No.7 jumper, and brought Joey Manu from centre to play five-eighth.
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Manu is considered one of the best centres in the NRL but is just as adept at playing fullback or in the halves, as he has done on occasion for his club and New Zealand.
“I can’t believe it’s taken them this long, to be honest. This is their best halves pairing,” Gould told Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles with Gus podcast.
“That’s nothing against Walker, but at the end of the day Keary has won premierships playing in that position, and Manu they’ve got to get closer to the ball, it’s as simple as that.”
The Roosters were heavily tipped to win this year’s premiership, but have won only three of six games to date and have struggled to match those expectations.
“They’ve got to get back to playing football and not just trying to outmuscle teams like they have (for) the last year,” Gould said.
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“This is a highly talented football team, a highly talented roster, and it’s underperforming at the moment.
“They need to get back to playing football, and that’s not telling them anything they don’t know.
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“They’ve made the change, they have bit the bullet, and Keary will steer the team around the field and Manu will be given the responsibility of creating opportunities.”
Walker is considered one of the most talented young halves in the game, evidenced by an extension he signed in December tying him to Bondi until the end of 2025.
But while his creativity in attack can be breathtaking, his body size and reliability in defence has been questioned constantly throughout his 52 games in the top grade since debuting as an 18-year-old.
He’s been touted as a future State of Origin playmaker, and Gould says the young talent can very much still reach those heights.
“He’s just got to fight his way back,” Gould said.
“He’s still a young man, it’s not the end by any stretch of the imagination.
“I think right at the moment this is the change the Roosters need.”
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