‘Big signing’: Telling hint at Roosters GF hero’s exit... but ‘in demand’ rising star set to stay

It is the footage that all but confirms Spencer Leniu’s impending exit from the Roosters.

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The now four-time premiership winner saved his best performance in Roosters colours for last, running for 92 metres and breaking four tackles as he changed momentum in the grand final.

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It was a fitting farewell for Leniu, who looks all but certain to join the Parramatta Eels next season despite still having another year left on his contract with the Roosters.

While he told journalists in the sheds after the grand final that he was leaving any discussions on his future to his manager, Code Sports captured vision of Leniu embracing fellow front rower Naufahu Whyte.

“I love ya bro, thanks for everything,” Whyte could be heard telling Leniu according to the publication.

Veteran rugby league reporter Brent Read said on NRL 360 that Leniu is expected to sign a four-year deal with the Eels.

“I don’t think this (the grand final win) changes anything,” Read added.

“I think the deal is just about done. It’s a long way down the path with Parramatta.

“It’s a big signing for Parra. They need him.”

"Leniu is not worth it with those stats! | 03:43

Read said he is not expecting the deal to be signed on in the next week as the Roosters celebrate their grand final victory, but forecast it will be done within the next fortnight.

Dean Ritchie called it a “heavy blow” for the Roosters, although Braith Anasta said it was a move that will “work out well for both parties” despite Leniu’s dominant grand final showing.

“Spencer hasn’t really had the impact they thought he would have,” Anasta added.

“He’s been a bit inconsistent. At times he’s been great. That was a career-best game on the biggest stage of all for the club and he delivered.”

Leniu isn’t the only Rooster who is set to leave the club a premiership winner, with Angus Crichton and Mark Nawaqanitawase off to rugby union while Daly Cherry-Evans is heading abroad to play in the Super League.

Meanwhile, Connor Watson is off to the Dragons before joining the PNG Chiefs for their inaugural season.

One player whose future remains up in the air is veteran winger Daniel Tupou, who is without a contract beyond next year.

Anasta: "You got it wrong!" | 00:40

“We’ll see what happens,” Tupou told Channel 10 when asked if he would play on.

It is not all bad news on the transfer front for the Roosters, with rising second rower Salesi Foketi unlikely to hit November 1 and instead set to re-sign on a three-year deal.

Foketi was a bolter for the Clive Churchill Medal after an impressive grand final performance which saw him run for 98 metres with four tackle busts, three offloads and 35 tackles.

Read said Foketi would have been in “hot demand” had he hit the open market, but instead the Roosters will have both him and second rower Siua Wong contracted to at least 2028.

Anasta said Foketi was “one of the best players” against the Knights.

“Every time he touches it he has late footwork, he’s powerful and he finds his front. He’s got speed,” Anasta added.