Cashed-up Roosters set to target star fullback Josh Dugan and rugby stars for 2013 raid
The Sydney Roosters have a long-term plan to sign NSW fullback Josh Dugan for 2013 and launch a raid on some of rugby union's biggest names.
Then club's hitlist includes Wallabies Quade Cooper and Berrick Barnes, along with All Blacks superstar Sonny Bill Williams.
Dugan comes off contract with the Raiders at the end of next year and has privately told several people within the NRL he is prepared to walk away from Canberra.
The Roosters targeted Dugan in 2009 but the Green Machine were swift to upgrade his contract.
Now he is again Sydney City's top priority, ahead of Cooper, Williams and then Waratahs five-eighth Barnes.
Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce distanced the club from the hitlist yesterday, but it is reportedly part of the long-term vision at the club.
"It's just laughable, those silly things. It's just not true," Noyce said.
"Before I got here we were more of a high-profile recruitment club, whereas in more recent times we've taken a strategy of building from the bottom and creating strong culture moving through."
Despite the denials from Noyce, a player raid makes sense for the Roosters. Braith Anasta and Anthony Minichiello will be off contract at the end of next year, while Jason Ryles and Mark Riddell will retire this year. And Queensland forward Nate Myles will walk away from the club one year early after securing a four-year deal with the Gold Coast.
Their departures and the anticipated salary cap increase to at least $6 million will deliver the Roosters a war chest to revamp their roster.
Current Roosters Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Frank-Paul Nu'uausala, Martin Kennedy, Todd Carney and Mitchell Pearce are all locked up until at least the end of 2013.
