Roosters want Graham

Monday 15th March 2010

By STEVE MASCORD

Sydney Roosters recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan has confirmed the club's interest in England prop James Graham.

Unsourced reports emerged in Australia last week that the 24-year-old St Helens star had quietly sounded out opportunities in the NRL next season and he has also been linked to Canberra.

"If he was to become available, we'd certainly be interested," O'Sullivan told rugbyleague.com. "He's a quality player."

O'Sullivan first saw Graham in action during an Australian Institute of Sport tour of the UK and has been following his career ever since.

"He plays big minutes and is very, very impressive," the junior talent guru said. 

Graham, now 188cm and 106kg, is contracted to the Merseyside club for next season but that did not prove to be an obstacle for Sam Burgess when he secured an early release from Bradford to join South Sydney.  O'Sullivan said the Roosters would not induce anyone to break a contract and any release would be a matter for the player and his agent.

Meanwhile, the Roosters' South African recruit Brian Skosana has returned home because of visa trouble - but will be back according to O'Sullivan.

"The way his visa was stamped when he came here, he needs to apply for his (working) visa for outside the country," said O'Sullivan.

"He'll be back, there is no problem there.''

Meanwhile, the club's other South African signing winger JP Du Plessis made his debut in Toyota Cup on Sunday against South Sydney.