Sam Walker’s NRL season is over and the Sydney Roosters concern Brandon Smith’s could also be as properly after a brutal double blow that can have lasting impacts into 2025.
The Roosters’ premiership hopes have been dealt the harshest attainable setback on Sunday, with Walker struggling a ruptured ACL in his staff’s loss to Canberra.
There are additionally fears Smith has additionally suffered ACL injury after an Elliott Whitehead hip-drop sort out, with the Roosters hooker set to bear one other scan and see a health care provider on Monday.
Whitehead has been provided a three-match suspension for his sort out with an early plea.
Walker and Smith’s accidents got here on a horror afternoon for the Tri-colours, who additionally misplaced Victor Radley to a shoulder harm and Nat Butcher to concussion.
Butcher ought to no less than return for the finals, however Radley is not any assure as he additionally awaits the outcomes of scans.
Within the quick time period, the Roosters’ accidents threaten to cease the membership’s cost in the direction of their first premiership since 2019.
No membership has gained the grand last with out their first-choice halfback accessible in the course of the NRL period, with Sandon Smith prone to be the person to fill the No.7 jersey.
Smith’s absence may also doubtless imply Connor Watson reverts to the hooker function, after beginning there 3 times this season.
“We have a squad for that purpose,” coach Trent Robinson mentioned.
“You guys do not get to see them at all times, however you have to consider in who’s coming subsequent.
“So let’s go, let’s get enthusiastic about transferring on to subsequent week.”
In the long run, the implications could possibly be much more vital for the Roosters.
The membership will lose greater than 750 video games in expertise at season’s finish, with Luke Keary, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Joey Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii all exiting.
Walker’s harm will imply they are going to have a model new halves mixture for no less than the primary half of 2025, with ACL ruptures typically requiring a nine-month restoration.
Sandon Smith will subsequently doubtless associate Chad Townsend within the halves, because the Tri-colours face their largest check within the halves since 2016.
Watson could also be pressured right into a long-term hooker swap to begin subsequent 12 months, if Brandon Smith does face a prolonged rehabilitation.
AAP
