Robinson reveals what led to Townsend's signing and his proposed role at the club

The Sydney Roosters have officially confirmed the signing of 2016 NRL Premiership winner Chad Townsend from the start of the 2025 season.

Townsend, who has been at the North Queensland Cowboys since 2022, had been touted with a move back to Sydney as he enters the final months of his $700k per season deal.

With the Roosters confirming the departure of long-time five-eighth Luke Keary at the season’s end, the need for an experienced half has been apparent and they’ve solved the problem with the 257-gamer.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson opened up on the deal and the conversations that sparked Townsend’s return to Sydney.

“It was probably about two, three weeks ago, Chad sort of expressed interest in coming back to Sydney and obviously pretty on bringing Sammy (Walker) and Sandon (Smith) through,” Robinson said on SEN 1170 The Run Home.

“Chad felt like he wanted to join us and could really support them and then also if needed, be in that position to play as well.

“I thought it was really good squad management form us to push the young guys through but also have a premiership winner behind him.”

When asked if he intends to play Sandon Smith alongside Sam Walker in the halves next year, Robinson replied: “Yep, that’s the plan.”

“We had really good conversations with Chad about Sandon being our number six, (we) really believe him, he’s played enough first grade now.

“I like the way he plays six, he’s got a good combination with Sammy.

“We’ve got a good group of young halves coming through, we’ve got about six young halves ready to go and to really progress, but they’re all at the moment 21 or under.

“They’re between 18 and 21, we know that you need some experience in the halves at different times and I thought Chad is perfect for that.”

Townsend will join the Roosters on a one-year deal reportedly worth around $300k per season.