TOIA’S FAIRYTALE ROOKIE SEASON: FROM INJURY BATTLES TO TRICOLOUR STAR WITH THREE DEBUTS
Sydney Roosters centre Robert Toia has capped a fairytale 2025 rookie season with the Dally M Rookie of the Year award, adding Queensland Maroons and Tonga XIII debuts to his breakthrough NRL bow – all after overcoming serious injuries that threatened to derail his career before it began.
The 22-year-old’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. After two years sidelined with knee and shoulder setbacks, Toia made his long-awaited Roosters debut in Round 3 against the Penrith Panthers, immediately turning heads with a fearless display that set the tone for his season.
By mid-year, his consistent hard work and dynamic play – marked by sharp attacking flair, crucial try assists, regular line breaks and impressive running metres – had caught the eye of selectors. He earned his first Tonga XIII cap in June’s Pacific Test, scoring a try in a dominant win over Fiji, before being called up to the Queensland Maroons for Game 3 of the State of Origin series, becoming the first Roosters rookie to represent the Maroons since 2015.
On the club front, Toia was a pillar of the Roosters’ finals push, starting in all 22 regular-season games and forming a devastating centre partnership with Joseph Manu. His strong defense – particularly in one-on-one situations – proved invaluable as the tricolours finished fourth on the ladder, eventually bowing out in the preliminary final to the Brisbane Broncos.
The season’s crowning glory came at the Dally M Awards, where Toia was named Rookie of the Year in a landslide vote. “To go from being in a brace to standing here tonight… it’s surreal,” he said in his acceptance speech. “I just wanted to give every bit of myself to the Roosters, and this is beyond anything I could have dreamed of.”
In recognition of his breakout year, the Roosters announced a long-term contract extension for Toia in late 2025, securing his future at Bondi Junction for the next four seasons. NRL.com analyst Martin Lenehan described him as “the most exciting young centre in the game”, while ABC News sports correspondent David Mark praised his “extraordinary resilience and natural talent”.
For Roosters fans, Toia has emerged as a new fan favourite – a player whose journey from injury heartbreak to triple debuts and rookie honours has made his first season one for the club’s history books.
