Wakefield Trinity star joins NRL giants’ developmental squad for 2024

In the lead-up to the Sydney Roosters 2024 NRL pre-season, the Club’s playing roster has been confirmed, featuring a number of established players as well as some key additions with NRL experience as well as development players, including members of the Sydney Roosters Academy.

The club have confirmed the following:

Departures: Drew Hutchison, Jaxson Paulo, Fletcher Baker, Jake Turpin, Nathan Brown, Corey Allan, Paul Momirovski, Ben Thomas

Arrivals: Dominic Young, Spencer Leniu

Elevated: Zach Dockar-Clay (Bears), Tyler Moriarty (Roosters Academy), Junior Pauga

Development: Alex Young, Blake Steep (Roosters Academy), Ethan Roberts (Roosters Academy), Xavier Va’a (Roosters Academy), Lewis Murphy (Wakefield Trinity)

2024 NRL Top 30 Squad:
Angus Crichton 2024
Billy Smith 2024
Brandon Smith 2024 Player Option
Connor Watson 2024 2025
Daniel Tupou 2024
Dominic Young 2024 2025 2026 2027
Egan Butcher 2024 2025
James Tedesco (c) 2024 2025
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 2024
Joseph Manu 2024
Joseph Sua’ali’i 2024
Junior Pauga 2024 2025
Lindsay Collins 2024 2025 2026
Luke Keary 2024
Mark Nawaqanitawase 2025 2026
Nat Butcher 2024 2025 2026 2027
Naufahu Whyte 2024 2025 2026
Robert Toia 2024 2025
Sam Walker 2024 2025
Sandon Smith 2024 2025 2026
Sitili Tupouniua 2024 2025 2026 2027
Siua Wong 2024 2025 2026
Spencer Leniu 2024 2025
Terrell May 2024
Tyler Moriarty 2024
Victor Radley 2024 2025 2026 2027
Zach Dockar-Clay 2024

2024 NRL Development List
Alex Young 2024
Blake Steep 2024
Ethan Roberts 2024
Lewis Murphy 2024
Xavier Va’a 2024 2025 2026 (NRL)

Murphy in developmental

You will notice that former Wakefield Trinity star Lewis Murphy is only included in the club’s developmental squad and is only contracted for the 2024 season which leaves the door ajar for a Super League return.

Murphy sustained the anterior cruciate ligament injury against Huddersfield last season, ending his season after three matches.

The academy graduate has scored 19 tries in 24 appearances since making his first-grade debut in 2022.

“Lewis will leave the club with our very best wishes and we thank him for his service to Wakefield Trinity,” the club tweeted.

Murphy will join fellow British winger Dom Young at the Tricolours next season, as well as premiership-winning Panthers enforcer Spencer Leniu.

The arrival of both Murphy and Young could also lead to the departure of experienced star Daniel Tupou, who is off-contract at the end of this season.

The club have also brought in Dom Young’s brother Alex Young from the Betfred Championship. He is also in the developmental side of things as the 2024 season begins. It will be interesting if either have a crack at first team rugby.