NRL Finals Series: Rabbitohs hit with James Roberts injury blow on eve of Canberra showdown
South Sydney have been forced into a late backline reshuffle for Friday’s night’s preliminary final with Canberra after James Roberts failed to recover in time from a thumb dislocation.
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Losing a gun player at this time of the year is the last thing the South Sydney Rabbitohs would want. However James Roberts’ injury setback has opened up the door for Wayne Bennett to use the same backline that brought down the Sydney Roosters in the final round of the regular season.
The Souths coach confirmed that Roberts’ dislocated thumb would rule his strike centre out of tonight’s preliminary final against Canberra.
Roberts suffered the injury in last week’s win over Manly and the Rabbitohs made the decision to rule him out at a team meeting in Canberra on Thursday.
“He is too sore,” Bennett told The Daily Telegraph.
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“His body language (told us). He knows he can’t play.”
Bennett said Campbell Graham would move into the centres with young gun Corey Allan coming onto the wing.
With Braidon Burns already sidelined through injury, it leaves the Rabbitohs lacking experience.
Bennett said the team must move on.
“It is what it is. We can’t do anything about it,” he added.
“We have good coverage. We are fine.”