Cowboys halfback Chad Townsend has revealed his shock move to the Roosters next year came after the Bondi Junction club came knocking with an offer at the “11th hour”.
The Roosters went after the veteran playmaker after Luke Keary first retired and then signed with Super League club Catalans Dragons.
Sam Walker will remain the Chooks’ first-choice No. 7 but Townsend will play a mentoring role to him and fellow young gun half Sandon Smith.
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Townsend told Fox League that he’d been weighing up his options, in Australia and overseas, for months before the Roosters swooped late.
“To be honest, it was kind of at the 11th hour,” he said.
“I was in the process of getting the opportunities that were out there and my agent mentioned the Roosters were interested to have a chat.
“I had a chat with Robbo and Dan Anderson and they told me the vision. Within a couple days we had an offer and it was agreed on.
“It happened at the 11th hour but I’m very glad that it did happen because for me and my family it ended up being the right one.”
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Townsend, who has just signed a one-year deal, was asked what was that vision that Roosters coach Trent Robinson shared with him.
“Just to come in and be myself, bring my experience to the team and help where I can with the younger halves and the younger players, and just compete,” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to working with everyone there next season.”
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