Sport Confidential: Eels close in on Spencer Leniu as Roosters eye replacement from Sharks

Spencer Leniu’s move to NRL rivals Parramatta is expected to be given the green light once his finals commitments with the Sydney Roosters are completed, as the club closes in on signing Cronulla prop Braden Uele.

Months of protracted talks between Leniu’s camp and the Eels are expected to culminate in the firebrand finally moving to Parramatta next season, despite having 12 months left on his contract at Bondi.

It comes as the Roosters are set to sign Uele, who is without a contract for next season, on a one-year deal.

Uele would become just the second free agent the Roosters have signed for next season, having agreed to terms with Manly outside back Reuben Garrick last year.

Leniu joins a high-profile list of departures at season’s end for the Roosters, who will also

Angus Crichton and Mark Nawaqanitawase to rugby union, Connor Watson to St George Illawarra before he joins the PNG Chiefs, and Daly Cherry-Evans, who has signed with Hull FC in the UK Super League.

Veteran winger Daniel Tupou, 35, is expected to be given a one-year contract extension.

Meanwhile, Leniu will join his former Penrith premiership-winning teammate Jarome Luai at the Eels from next season. Leniu, Luai and fellow Samoan international Jaydn Su’A will provide some much-needed experience to assist a young Parramatta line-up.

Leniu’s temper and discipline came under scrutiny following a brain snap against South Sydney last Friday night when he gave away a penalty for throwing the ball away and shaping up to Rabbitohs rival Keaon Koloamatangi, despite having earned a six-again.

Leniu was substituted in the 31st minute and didn’t return, despite being one of the most senior players in a Roosters team that rested 10 players.

"I was never sold on the Pezet signing. How can a player be fully committed or buy into what the club is doing if he's only going to be there for one year and then go to where he ultimately wants to be. It's similar to outside of Rugby League, I've…"

"This is ridiculous from Brent Read. Probably influenced by the mid season sook by Peter Badel. If I look at Parramattas performances this year I can only think of 1 game where we were totally outplayed and didnt put in amd that was the Titans game…"

Replies

- Eli Stephens > Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst September 9, 2026 at 5:53pm
  
  Kelly would put him into the ground 🤣 good riddance lol
- Parrafan101 > Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst September 9, 2026 at 6:30pm
  
  I rather Kelly, Kelly can make stupid mistakes but he'll take the hard yards for us.
- Who Cares > Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst September 9, 2026 at 7:53pm
  
  Also rejected us twice
- LB > Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst September 9, 2026 at 8:20pm
  
  Yep, in 2024 he would have played the entire season for us at Wing and Fullback.
- Poupou Escobar > Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst September 9, 2026 at 10:48pm
  
  No he couldn't. We have always had five outside backs better than him.
Gaz Nelson September 10, 2026 at 7:02pm

Starting to look like a half decent pack. We've had nothing in attack from our pack for the longest time. Will make a big difference to the way Moses plays too if we can get some momentum
Eels tragic September 11, 2026 at 7:21am

Luke Keary on NRL360 stated that this was all new to Leniu and that he would stay at the Roosters.
- Eli Stephens > Eels tragic September 11, 2026 at 7:45am
  
  Uncle Nick has him on speed dial lol. Ignore that