Walker Rings Robinson and Politis to Say Sorry as Roosters Plan Life Without Him

Sam Walker has picked up the phone to the two most powerful men at the Sydney Roosters. According to News Corp reports, the 24-year-old halfback called coach Trent Robinson and chairman Nick Politis from the Kangaroos' World Cup camp in Townsville on Wednesday night to apologise for his part in the collapse of his contract extension, thanking both for their influence on his career and hoping to open peace talks. The calls came after a pointed public rebuke: NRL 360 reporter Phil Rothfield had said on Wednesday that Walker had not yet rung his coach, calling that "almost insulting". Walker reportedly told the pair he had simply wanted more time to decide. But the olive branch appears to have changed nothing at Bondi. The Roosters withdrew their extension offer on Monday night after the parties could not agree terms, and reports say Politis is unlikely to shift his stance, with the club planning a new halves combination of Hugo Savala and Toby Rodwell for 2027. Walker remains contracted to the Roosters until the end of 2027 and is understood to be preparing to honour that deal, returning to pre-season training around late December or early January after his post-World Cup break. For now his focus is Saturday's World Cup pool finale against the Cook Islands in Townsville, where he has been dropped to the reserves after Tom Dearden won the race to partner Cameron Munster in the halves. Players off contract at the end of 2027 can begin negotiating with rival clubs from November 1.