Ticking goals: New Roo Sam completes his three-peat

With a premiership ring on his finger and an Origin debut on his CV, gun halfback Sam Walker has one more item to tick off his 2026 bucket list.

The 24-year-old Rooster is four days away from striding onto Suncorp Stadium in a green and gold jersey, forever in the history books as Kangaroo #868.

“I had a really clear goal for myself at the start of this year, how I wanted the year to go and you know, ticking the boxes so far, and there’s one more I’ve got to tick," Walker said.

“I think obviously a couple years ago I was going through the ACL and then having to work so hard to get back and play NRL and it probably wasn’t the end of the year last year that I would have liked for myself."

But it was his most recent setback - a syndesmosis injury suffered against the Dolphins in Round 26 - that put him in serious doubt to play any further part in the Roosters' campaign, let alone contemplate a World Cup call-up.

Refusing to accept that his dreams of a premiership and a Kangaroos jersey were gone, Walker worked around the clock to give himself a chance of a comeback should the Roosters push deep into the finals.

“I think once they gave me the timeline of when I could possibly get back into the field, I had a real clear goal and set my targets on that,” Walker said.  

“It was just about working really hard about getting my ankle right and feeling confident. 

“I had to work really hard there for about a month's period and probably sacrificed a lot and have to work really hard on my rehab and making sure I get myself back in the best position for the Roosters.

“I'm very grateful you know, I'm proud of the team, for the Roosters, for getting themselves in position where I could allow myself to come back.  

“They had a couple of weeks there where it was knockout footy [against the Sharks and Dolphins] and they got through those and I was able to get back and obviously it was a really good back end of the year.” 

The boy from Ipswich is set to line up beside lifelong friend Tom Dearden in a new-look halves pairing chosen by coach Kevin Walters, another proud Ipswich product.

“Tom and I sort of grew up with each other, our families have known each other for a very long time,” Walker said. 

“Tommy and I have been mates for a long time, I guess obviously we came through Broncos pathways together a long time ago. 

“Being in camp with him and enjoying his company first and foremost, and now to be able to play along side him he’s such a great footballer, such a great competitor, and I can't wait to see what he brings this football team.

"I'm sure our combination's going to work really well together."

The pair will get the chance to light up Suncorp Stadium in front of a home crowd when they take the field against a Fiji Bati side boasting the class of Api Koroisau, Sunia Turuva, Kurt Donoghoe and Jacob Saifiti.

“I am absolutely stoked to be here wearing these colours,” Walker said. 

“It’s really exciting… can't wait. Obviously, breaking the news to the family and to see how excited they were, it's a real honour.  

“Something I guess is the pinnacle of rugby league… get to represent my country I'm so proud."