Roosters Strike Gold: Seve Brothers Poised to Ignite NRL Front Row Revolution

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has commenced a rebuild of his forward pack by securing the signatures of two highly promising young players from the Canterbury Bulldogs. NSW Under-19s prop Fanafou Seve and his 17-year-old brother, Itula, are set to join the Roosters on long-term contracts, signaling a significant investment in the club’s future.

The Roosters are addressing a shortage of experienced front-rowers following the departures of Terrell May (to the Wests Tigers), Sitili Tupouniua (Bulldogs), and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Hull Kingston Rovers), along with the retirement of Dylan Napa. The Seve brothers bring size and potential, each weighing around 115 kilograms, and are seen as future NRL stars.

Fanafou has already made an impression at the representative level, excelling for the NSW Under-19 side against Queensland last year. He also led the Bulldogs in their SG Ball Cup Grand Final against the Dragons in 2024. Meanwhile, Itula, who captained the Bulldogs’ Harold Matthews Cup team last season, has attracted significant attention from other clubs due to his leadership and talent.

While the Bulldogs rate the siblings highly, they were unable to match the Roosters’ offer, which provides a clearer pathway to first-grade opportunities. A Bulldogs insider admitted, “They’re good kids and will likely play NRL, but sadly, you can’t keep them all.”