NRL finals: Roosters, Storm cop big blows ahead of crunch clash

The preparations of the Roosters and Storm have both taken hits, with each side losing a star player hours out from the grand final qualifier at the SCG.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — SEPTEMBER 14: Suliasi Vunivalu of the Storm celebrates scoring a try during the NRL Qualifying Final match between the Melbourne Storm and the Canberra Raiders at AAMI Park on September 14, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

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The Roosters and Storm have both suffered big injury setbacks ahead of Saturday night’s grand final qualifiers.

The Roosters were struck a big blow on game eve with co-captain Jake Friend ruled out in his attempted return from a fractured forearm.

After missing the past two months, he was cut from the Roosters’ squad on Friday night with Sam Verrills to wear the No.9.

Jake Friend will miss the Roosters clash with Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

Robinson refused to speculate on the fitness of playmaker Luke Keary, rumoured to be carrying an ankle injury. Drew Hutchinson, included in the club’s 19-man squad, is waiting in the wings if Keary is ruled out.

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Suliasi Vunivalu has been ruled out of Melbourne’s clash with the Roosters. Picture: Getty Images

Meanwhile Melbourne will be missing Suliasi Vunivalu. The Fijian winger suffered a hamstring injury last week against the Parramatta Eels and could not take part in the captain’s run on Friday in Sydney, before he was later ruled out.

Coach Craig Bellamy has two options as a replacement — dumped centre Will Chambers could earn a starting reprieve or Sandor Earl could slot in on the wing.

The Daily Telegraph understands veteran centre Chambers trained on the wing at the captain’s run.

He was dropped from the centres last week to make way for the return of Curtis Scott.