Daly Cherry-Evans is being tipped to wear the Roosters’ No. 6 jersey when he arrives next season, and not the No. 7 he’s forged such a brilliant career in.
The worst kept secret in rugby league is that Cherry-Evans will join the Roosters in 2026, but according to veteran journalist Phil Rothfield, the Sea Eagles’ record holder for games played will play second fiddle to Roosters half Sam Walker.
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It’s a surprise revelation given the fact that Cherry-Evans has played halfback in all 347 career club games.
“Cherry-Evans is joining them next year. I’m told he’ll play five-eighth with Sam Walker all but guaranteed to wear the No. 7 jersey,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast radio show.
“They had to tell him that so he wouldn’t get upset about the signing.”
Walker and Cherry-Evans shared the field on Saturday night, with the Roosters star outgunning the premiership winning halfback in a 20-4 victory over Manly.
Walker had a hand in all three of his team’s tries while Cherry-Evans struggled to have an impact on the game.
Roosters win do-or-die clash vs. Manly | 02:13
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“It’s really interesting this DCE signing as the season progresses because Sam Walker’s short kicking game was so outstanding on Saturday night and led to a couple of tries,” Rothfield said.
“His teammates love him. James Tedesco and Angus Crichton spoke so highly of him.
“I love the football he plays. You can’t structure him.
“I tend to think that if Sam Walker had been available all year, the Roosters would well and truly be cemented in the top eight.”
