The Roosters’ hopes of cementing their top-eight spot have copped a fresh setback, with forward Nat Butcher set to join injured halfback Sam Walker in an extended stint on the sidelines. Walker was set to play his first NRL game of the season in last week’s controversial four-point defeat of Newcastle but suffered a fractured right thumb in training and was ruled out.
The halfback was initially named in Trent Robinson’s starting side after returning from a nine-month layoff from an ACL rupture in NSW Cup the previous week. But the luckless No.7 will have to wait another month after undergoing a successful operation on the thumb on Thursday and commencing rehabilitation on the injury.
The depth of Robinson’s squad will be further tested after Butcher suffered a recurrence of an MCL strain in training last week. Thankfully, the knee injury does not require surgery but it’s likely to keep the versatile forward out of action for the next six weeks in a another blow for the Tri Colours.
The Roosters are currently sitting eighth on the NRL ladder but have a host of teams hot on their heels as the race for finals footy heats up in the second half of the season. Robinson’s men host North Queensland in a crucial clash at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, where a win for the 10th-placed Cowboys will see them leapfrog the Tri Colours on the ladder.
Number of key outs set to test Roosters’ depth
Further complicating the situation for the Roosters is the fact they’ll be without forwards Victor Radley and Egan Butcher for the Cowboys clash after both entered concussion protocols in the wake of the Knights game. Radley suffered his second game-ending head knock of the season after attempting to tackle Fletcher Hunt during the second half of the 12-8 win in Newcastle.
He will now miss at least next week’s clash against North Queensland, before the Roosters have their third bye of the season the following week. Worryingly, it was Radley’s seven game-ending head knock in the past four seasons and he’s set to consult an independent specialist this week, amid concerns from fans about his playing future.
Egan Butcher will follow standard concussion rehabilitation protocols and the Roosters will be hoping to have him and Radley back for the round 18 showdown against Wests Tigers after next week’s bye. Although a more cautious approach may needed to be taken with Radley due to his extension history of head knocks.
Robinson will also be crossing his fingers that the Roosters’ quintet of Origin stars hold up OK after Game 2 of the series on Wednesday night, having named all five for Sunday’s home clash with the Cowboys. Maroons stars Robert Toia and Lindsay Collins, plus Blues trio Connor Watson, Angus Crichton and Spencer Leniu are all set to play against North Queensland in round 16 – barring injuries from Origin – and the four-day turnaround will give them the best chance to recover in time for the crunch clash.
Toia’s return sees rugby convert Mark Nawaqanitawase pushed out to the wing in place of Dom Young, whose return to Newcastle was confirmed after the Knights game. Sandon Smith gets the chance to continue in the halves alongside Hugo Savala in Walker’s prolonged absence, while Siua Wong, Naufahu Whyte and Salesi Foketi keep their spot in the forward pack, with Makahesi Makatoa and Taylor Losalu dropping to the reserves as Robinson shuffles the deck.
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