‘Trying to create some news’: Trent Robinson shuts down Mitch Moses links, outlines plans for Mark Nawaqanitawase ahead of NSW Cup debut

Roosters coach Trent Robinson has shut down speculation he’s trying to sign Mitch Moses, describing recent reports as people “trying to create some news” and that he hasn’t spoken with the Eels halfback at all after missing out on his signature a few years ago.

It adds another layer of intrigue to Friday’s clash between the high-flying Roosters and the battling Eels, with Moses’ future becoming a talking point last week after suggestions he didn’t want to see out the rest of his contract.

The State of Origin star is signed until the end of 2026 with a clause that could keep him in blue and gold for a further two seasons, but the Roosters have been linked with him if he decides to leave early given they have plenty of money to spend with a number of stars leaving.

But Robinson has put an end to those rumours, with the Roosters looking to re-sign Sam Walker as soon as possible.

“He’s (Moses) an outstanding player and we tried to sign him a few years ago, but there hasn’t been one conversation about that,” the three-time premiership-winning coach said.

“That’s the madness of our reporting and trying to create some news because there hasn’t been one discussion about that.

“It’s a little bit frustrating because it creates noise in the middle of trying to re-sign Sam and then someone brings up something about someone you’ve never spoken about.

“It creates noise for three or four days, and we’re still talking about it now. That’s our world.”

The Roosters have made it clear they want to extend Walker’s deal beyond 2025, with the young half producing some amazing plays in attack but also showing how he’s matured as a playmaker.

“It’s the best space I’ve seen him in his career with us,” Robinson said.

“He’s really clear on his game, he’s really clear on the team’s game, so I’m really proud of where he’s got to and where he’s working towards.”

Walker isn’t the only one working towards something, with the Roosters to unleash rugby convert Mark Nawaqanitawase this weekend in reserve grade against the Bulldogs at Wentworth Park.

Nawaqanitawase officially started training with the club on Saturday but has already impressed his teammates, with the plan for him to familiarise himself with the sport for the next few weeks having just returned from sevens duties at the Olympics.

“For this year, we wanted him to go and play reserve grade and get the feel of the game,” Robinson said.

“Physically (we wanted to) make sure he was in the right state to play, and he is. Preparing for the sevens for the Olympics, he’s in good physical shape. It was just important to get him out there and start learning through playing.

“Just experience, (there are) no expectations from a performance point of view, it’s more getting out there and getting a feel.

“We’ve had some really good training sessions already. He’s a learner, so picking up things day on day has been really good, but there’s no expectation about the performance, it’s all about experience, get a feel for how six tackles work, the 10 metres, the defensive decision-making and all those things.

“He knows the game. He hasn’t been in it for a week. Since he signed, I can imagine, he’s been dreaming about this for a long period of time which is part of the preparation as well.”