Tough days ahead for the depleted Sydney Roosters

MATTHEW JOHNS SCOUTING REPORT: You simply can’t lose the amount of talent the Roosters have and not feel the pinch, regardless of the quality of the emerging youngsters.

Evo, Brett, Roosters v Bulldogs

EVEN before Australia Day, I saw this as a transitional year for the Roosters. You simply can’t lose the amount of talent they have and not feel the pinch, regardless of the quality of the youngsters coming through.

From last year the Roosters have lost a general in James Maloney, a major strike weapon in Michael Jennings and an attacking force of nature in superstar Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Not only did he get their sets of six rolling with his kick returns, Tuivasa-Sheck was the “go to” man when something big was needed. Last year there was only one rugby league player on the planet better than Roger ... that bloke in Townsville.

And then Australia Day happened and they lost their skipper Mitchell Pearce, whose future remains unclear. Then a week or so after his drama, Boyd Cordner tore a pectoral muscle which will sideline him until mid-season.

The Roosters have a hard road ahead in 2016.

Sonny Bill, where art thou? It’s fair to say there are some big shoes to fill.

Jayden Nikorima will
fill the hole left by Pearce and form the halves combination with the young man who will now carry enormous responsibility, Jackson Hastings.

Luckily Jackson doesn’t lack confidence, but it will be up to other, more experienced players to step up and not overburden Hastings. I can see Jake Friend being the main focal point of the Roosters’ attacking game, with the Chooks playing a more conservative power-based style.

Sharing dummy-half duties with Friend will be Ian Henderson, who comes back to the NRL from the Catalan Dragons. He’ll be a great buy, he’s a terrific player and competitor.

Lots of responsibility now falls on Blake Ferguson, who has shown he’s ready for a leadership role and will revel in it.

This will be a tough campaign for coach Trent Robinson, but the strength of Trent’s coaching is his structures, disciplines and principles. Robinson doesn’t need a superstar roster to get success, he showed that during his time in the English Super League.

The Roosters have enough toughness and discipline to still be a top-eight side.

Blake Ferguson.

Jake Friend.

BEST 13

1 Blake Ferguson 2 Joe Burgess 3 Dale Copley 4 Shaun Kenny-Dowall 5 Daniel Tupou 6 Jackson Hastings 7 Mitchell Pearce 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9 Jake Friend 10 Dylan Napa 11 Aidan Guerra 12 Boyd Cordner 13 Sio Siua Taukeiaho. Interchange: 14 Isaac Liu 15 Kane Evans 16 Sam Moa 17 Mitchell Aubusson

INS

Joe Burgess (Wigan Warriors), Dale Copley (Brisbane Broncos), Mitchell Frei (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Ian Henderson (Catalan Dragons), Ryan Matterson (Parramatta Eels), Jayden Nikorima (Broncos), Paki Afu (Fox Memorial Cup)

OUTS

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand Warriors), Michael Jennings (Parramatta Eels), James Maloney (Cronulla Sharks), Nene Macdonald (Gold Coast Titans), Nathan Stapleton (London Broncos), Willis Meehan (released), Lagi Setu (released), Lopini Paea (released), Suaiai Matagi (Panthers), Samisoni Langi (released), Matt McIlwrick (Cronulla Sharks), Jack Siejka (released), Willie Manu (released), Taane Milne (St George Illawarra Dragons)

DRAW

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Originally published as Tough days ahead for the depleted Sydney Roosters