Trent Robinson’s ‘frustrated’ Roosters injury update on rising gun Sam Walker
Roosters coach Trent Robinson thinks his team’s end-of-set plays against the Storm on Saturday night were “as bad as” he’s seen, but it appears unlikely that he’ll have young gun Sam Walker to save the team any time soon.
Robinson provided a bleak update on the 21-year-old halfback’s injury fight after the Roosters were defeated 30-16 by the Storm at the SCG.
Walker was released from the Tricolours’ first-grade squad before round eight and has been out with a knee injury for several weeks.
While competing in the NSW Cup, the Queenslander sprained his ACL.
Robinson has tried with three halves pairings during his absence: Luke Keary and Joseph Manu, Keary and Drew Hutchison, and Keary and Sandon Smith, who teamed up on Saturday night.
The Roosters are 14th on the ladder and have suffered three consecutive losses.
“I don’t know,” Robinson told reporters when asked when Walker will be available.
“He’s training, and it’s getting closer, but it just niggles.” It’s not an injury you want to mess with… the ACL, so we want him to be fine.
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“We’re all a little frustrated, but we’re not going to take any chances.”
“So, yeah, I don’t know if it’s going to be one week or four weeks.”
The Roosters trailed the Storm 6-4 at halftime on Saturday night, but surrendered four tries in the second half.
Melbourne speedster Xavier Coates scored a hat-trick against the Roosters for the second time this season.
“he set finishes have been really bad. We’ve had some really terrific sets (this season), but our endings of sets were as awful I’ve seen tonight: runs on the last down short side or kicks that were five metres short of where they should be,” Robinson remarked.
Just the ends of sets – no pressure is exerted, no tries are scored, nothing comes off those plays… That’s why we’ve been sitting at 6-4 for so long without looking like we’re going to knock them out.”
Despite the defeat, Daniel Tupou scored two tries, matching Anthony Minichiello’s club record of 139 NRL tries.
Robinson had kind words to say about the former NSW Blues winger.
“Tups has been rock-solid, and he’s improving,” Robinson said.
“Year after year, his backfield, his execution — that’s why you get that many tries.” Mini is the all-time leading try-scorer…
“It’s a joy to watch him play and coach him.” Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have Tups on the left wing.
