Billy Smith injury news: Sydney Roosters confirm star’s ACL blow
The rising star who had emerged as the frontrunner to take over the left centre position made vacant by Latrell Mitchell’s South Sydney defection has suffered a potential season-ending injury.
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Brett Morris is set to wind back the clock and get first crack at taking over from centre Latrell Mitchell following a crushing knee injury to young gun Billy Smith.
The Daily Telegraph has learned Smith, 20, suffered his second torn ACL in just 18 months during a routine training drill on Monday.
The rising star was the frontrunner to take over the left centre position made vacant due to Mitchell’s defection to South Sydney.
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In a shattering blow for Smith, his knee injury is on the opposite leg to which he suffered a torn ACL while playing for NSW Cup feeder club Wyong in 2018.
Hugely respected within the Roosters’ inner sanctum for the dedication and commitment he showed during his nine-month recovery, Smith is now facing an identical challenge.
Smith scored nine tries in six matches in the NSW Cup last year.
He made his NRL debut in round 23 against St George Illawarra and scored tries in both the games he played.
The best and preferred option at Roosters coach Trent Robinson’s disposal is to shift the experienced Morris from the wing to the centres - where the 33-year-old is more than proven.
Morris has scored four tries in his last five appearances in the centres for the Roosters - highlighted by a memorable treble when on debut for the Tricolours during last year’s World Club Challenge.
The former NSW Origin and Test star played a further four matches in the centres last season, his most recent appearance in July.
The Roosters travel to the UK to face St Helens on February 22 where Morris is most likely to be called upon to start his 2020 campaign.
The premiership-winning winger’s shift to the centres will force Robinson to find a wing replacement with England international Ryan Hall or rookie Matthew Ikuvalu early options.
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Alternatively, the Roosters could go to market in a bid to replenish their outside backs with the NRL’s pre-season of player movement far from over as several clubs including the Tigers, Rabbitohs, Storm, Dragons and Sharks continue to assess their 2020 rosters.
The injury to Smith is a blow for the defending premiers, yet they are poised to remind league fans of more pressing concerns and that is the recovery mission of NSW communities following the recent devastating fires.
The Roosters will unveil their World Club Challenge jersey at the SCG today which is a tribute to the fire-fighting efforts of the NSW rural fire brigade.
The special one-off jersey for purchase coincides with a fundraising initiative that the Roosters will also announce.
Originally published as Billy Smith injury news: Sydney Roosters confirm star’s ACL blow