NRL Casualty Ward: Nat Butcher, Victor Radley set for time on sidelines amid Roosters injury chaos

The Roosters have been rocked by injury chaos in the wake of their humiliating defeat to the Broncos, with one of their key forwards set for time on the sidelines following an unscheduled operation. See the latest injury news.

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The Roosters woes are set to be compounded with Nat Butcher’s medical procedure expected to sideline him for a further few weeks.

Butcher was a late withdrawal for the clash against the Broncos after the forward needed to undergo an unscheduled operation which ruled him out of what would have been his 150th first grade game.

While Butcher’s return to play is unclear it is understood the injury will leave him on the sidelines for a couple more matches.

His brother Egan is also a few weeks away from returning after a minor setback during the pre-season has delayed his comeback. There were hopes Egan would be right to play in round one after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in round 12 last year but will still spend a couple more weeks on the sideline.

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Nat Butcher is expected to be sidelined for a number of weeks. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

The Butcher brothers will be joined by Victor Radley who failed to finish the game against Brisbane on Thursday night because of a concussion. Radley won’t be available for the Roosters next game against the Panthers.

“He’s (Radley) pretty key to our team and the way that we run things. To lose him quite early was tough,” coach Trent Robinson said after the game last night.

In some good news for the Roosters, second-rower Angus Crichton can escape suspension for his high shot on Broncos five-eighth Ben Hunt.

The NRL match review committee hit Crichton with a grade-one contrary conduct charge on Friday morning for the 46th-minute incident.

It was Crichton’s third subsequent charge, meaning he can escape with a $3000 fine or, if he fights the charge at the judiciary and loses, he will be suspended for two matches.

Centre Billy Smith could provide another boost for the Roosters, as he recovers well from a hip issue and he could be available next week. However, Smith may struggle to force his way into the starting side given the impressive performance of NRL debutant Robert Toia while ex-Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase was also solid in a badly beaten side.

Victor Radley is helped from the field following a head knock. Picture: NRL Photos

Monster prop De La Salle Va’a is about six weeks away from returning to the field after his own health scare.

“He had an operation,” Robinson said.

“We’ve had a couple of guys in hospital in the past couple of days in the forward pack which has been really tough. They’re outside of footy issues.

“We’ll be missing those guys for a couple of weeks, but they’re both on the mend.”

The Roosters are already severely depleted after just one game with Brandon Smith and Sam Walker still months away from playing as they continue their recovery from respective knee injuries.

Representative prop Spencer Leniu is unavailable until round three because of a pre-season suspension.

Lindsay Collins suffered a bad cut in the opening half against Brisbane but played out the match.

It was a brutal night for the Roosters. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Radley’s injury added to the Roosters’ woes after they conceded 50 points which historically means they can no longer win the comp.

Robinson liked their effort and physicality but said “the smarts were really low” as his inexperienced edges were torn to shreds by Brisbane’s speedsters who had room to move thanks to Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan.

Robinson has heard all the criticism leading into the season but can see positives going forward, with rookie centre Robert Toia starring with a couple of try assists.

“It’s hard to explain how excited you are about developing a team and watching these guys make three debuts,” the three-time premiership-winning coach said.

“It’s really disappointing, but it’s not a matter of happy or sad. We’ve got to work hard, and that’s what coaching is. You’ve got to go step by step, and I saw some things that I liked.

“We’ll keep getting better as long as we keep our attitude where it needs to be and we keep improving our smarts and we keep belief in our team.

Originally published as NRL Casualty Ward: Nat Butcher, Victor Radley set for time on sidelines amid Roosters injury chaos