It wouldn’t take much digging to find a period of time in the past when the Roosters had too many talented backs for one team.

With current Kangaroos captain James Tedeseco, past Golden Boot winner Joey Manu, current NRL top tryscorer Dom Young, club all-time best tryscorer Daniel Tupou, and outstanding athletic talent Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii, their 1-5 record was outstanding.

Billy Smith, who would be a walk-up starter for practically every other NRL club save Easts, Penrith, Brisbane, and possibly the Warriors, was still unable to find room due to the strength of the team.

But despite their overwhelming strength, the Chooks are forced to scramble to make up the numbers for next year.

Suaalii going was well known, as he inked a deal with rugby union almost a year ago, and the club have brought in a straight swap from the other code, with Mark Nawaqanitawase arriving from the Waratahs.

Manu is now prepared to join the dark side as well, seizing the chance to experience a different culture for a limited time by winning a ton of money in the enigmatic Japan Rugby League One. Their words, not mine. Does Japanese have a different approach to SEO?

Smith is the obvious choice to replace Manu in the centers, but neither he nor Nawaqanitawase are a sure thing.