Roosters’ Utility Star Hugo Savala Commits Until 2028, Ready to Shine in Any Role
The Sydney Roosters are brimming with confidence that their versatile dynamo, Hugo Savala, is firmly entrenched with the club and poised to feature prominently across a variety of positions in the coming seasons. While injury cruelly impacted the Roosters’ halves stocks in 2025, leading to Savala stepping into the role, the landscape has shifted this year.
The return to fitness of Sam Walker, coupled with the anticipated arrival of Daly Cherry-Evans, had Savala reportedly exploring his options during the pre-season. However, any doubts have been definitively put to rest. Although not officially trumpeted, the NRL’s official signing tracker has been updated, confirming Savala has inked a new deal that will keep him at the Tricolours until the end of 2028, aligning with off-season reports.
Savala’s true value lies in his ability to perform anywhere on the park. This was vividly demonstrated in his first hit-out at NRL level for 2026 last night. Thrust into the fray from the bench in the first half when Sam Walker underwent a concussion assessment, Savala proved his worth. Despite being a familiar face around the squad and with expectations of featuring at lock or in the second-row, he seamlessly shifted through roles at halfback and in the centres during Thursday’s clash against Manly – a match that secured the Roosters’ maiden victory of the year.
Captain James Tedesco was quick to laud Savala’s commendable attitude and undeniable versatility. “He’s going to play a lot of footy in different positions, and he’s shown that versatility in pre-season,” Tedesco remarked during the post-match press conference. “Guys like him that can play multiple positions, with how the game’s going, it’s very important. Having good attitudes around the group, he adds a lot of value in and around training, and he’s going to play a lot of footy for us for sure.”
Navigating a Crowded Field in the Roosters’ Ranks
While the prevailing sentiment is that Savala will naturally transition back into the halves next year, potentially when Daly Cherry-Evans retires, this is by no means a guaranteed pathway. The Roosters are firmly committed to Sam Walker at halfback for the duration of his tenure with the club. Furthermore, the emergence of talented young playmaker Tom Rodwell is on the horizon. Rodwell could be ready to make his NRL debut next year, which would further compress the available spots in the halves and necessitate Savala finding a new niche within the team.
Throughout his development, Savala has demonstrated a remarkable ability to play virtually every position on the field. It’s highly probable he will continue this trend at the NRL level in the years to come. However, for any player, a degree of role and positional security within the team is crucial for sustained performance and development.
Cherry-Evans himself has not definitively locked in an end-of-2026 retirement date. However, he has alluded to not wanting to impede the club’s emerging talent by extending his playing career beyond that point.
Robinson Praises Savala’s Positive Impact and Courageous Play
Coach Trent Robinson was effusive in his praise for the positive impact Savala brings to the squad, irrespective of his designated role. “There’s positive, neutral or negative energy guys that come into groups, and he’s on the higher end of the scale when it comes to positive energy,” Robinson commented. “He’s a sort of, ‘I can do whatever you ask,’ type of guy, and he plays with courage as well, and I think we saw that in the second half.”
Savala’s commanding performance on Thursday night strongly suggests he will remain a vital component of Robinson’s preferred six-man bench for the foreseeable future. The revelation that he was initially slated to play lock before being called upon elsewhere hints at this position being a potential long-term home for him.
Looking Ahead: Squad Depth and Upcoming Fixtures
The implications of Savala’s evolving role for other players, including Connor Watson and the Butcher brothers, remain to be seen. Adding to the Roosters’ depth, Victor Radley is also slated to return from a club-imposed suspension in the coming weeks.
The Roosters will enjoy a well-earned bye next weekend. Their next challenge will be a significant one, as they face the Cronulla Sharks in Perth on April 11, marking Round 6 of the competition. This period will likely offer further clarity on how the Roosters plan to utilise their increasingly versatile playing roster.
