NRL 2021: Roosters face up to being without co-captain Jake Friend after concussion blow

The Roosters will be exercising extreme caution over the future of Jake Friend in the wake of the Roosters star’s latest concussion blow where he appeared to start shaking on the ground.

A concerned Trent Robinson has opened up about why the Sydney Roosters will not be rushed into making any rash judgments about Jake Friend’s future until they know the complete medical facts surrounding his latest concussion.

This comes as the Roosters coach also revealed that he was not aware of the worrying images shown during Fox League’s match coverage of Friend appearing to convulse on the Sydney Cricket Ground until Robinson viewed the vision on Sunday morning.

It again highlights why the Roosters have every right be showing extreme caution when discussing Friend’s future until they have all the necessary medical information at their disposal.

Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Jake Friend was in the wars on Saturday.

Of course, the Roosters are already without their other co-captain Boyd Cordner, who has also been sidelined indefinitely because of concussion issues, and their halfback Luke Keary has a troubling concussion history.

Friend was involved in two incidents during the match, one when he was steamrolled by giant Manly prop Taniela Paseka while the knockout blow resulted from a head clash with backrower Andrew Davey.

There was an immediate alarm from players on the field when Friend started shaking as he lay on his side.

It would be a massive blow to their premiership hopes if Friend was to be now sidelined for an extended period.

Robinson would not even get into a conversation about when Friend might be expected back but he is considered no chance of playing against the Tigers next Sunday.

Youngster Freddy Lussick is expected to take over the No.9 jumper after he was withdrawn from the North Sydney team scheduled to play the Sea Eagles on Sunday.

The Roosters are running short of dummy half options with Sam Verrills (knee) Victor Radley (suspended) both unavailable.

The Roosters also lost interchange utility Adam Keighran for several weeks with a fractured wrist.

Jake Friend has a troubling history of concussions.

This could open the door for boom teenager Sam Walker to be named on the bench to make his NRL debut.

But the bigger issue at the Roosters surrounds Friend’s playing future given he had two concussions towards the end of last season and there was a third concerning incident in State of Origin II.

While that was not classified as a concussion, a NSW official said at the time that it “beggars belief” Friend wasn’t taken off for a HIA.

Queensland coach Wayne Bennett blasted those claims.

Friend has previously conceded ongoing concussion issues “does” (scare him) post career.

Robinson appeared in no mood to be discussing Friend’s long term playing future in the immediate aftermath of Saturday night’s match when he bristled at a question from Fox League’s Matt Russell in the media conference relating to this being potentially the end of Friend’s career.

While it seemed an important question from Russell given the sickening images witnessed during the match telecast and the fact Friend has a worrying history of concussion issues, Robinson’s explanation on Sunday was more than valid.

“I didn’t see that (the on field vision of Friend shaking on the ground) until this morning,” Robinson explained.

Friend is assisted from the field after his second knock of the game.

“I didn’t see it at the time and I didn’t know that after the game when I got asked about that.

“Travis (Roosters physio Travis Touma) said he was able to talk to him pretty much straight away.

“I don’t know what that movement was and I need to ask that question to Doc.

“But it wasn’t the time for me (last night).”

Robinson said he had spoken to Friend on Sunday and the tough hooker appeared to be as good within himself as could be expected after sleeping through the night.

Asked what the next step would be, Robinson was understandably guarded: “We will go through our NRL protocols for concussion but we will also go through our protocols as far as what is best for Jake based on his recent history.”

Robinson said he was not thinking past making sure Friend’s health remains the only priority.

“I am not thinking about next week,” Robinson added.

“The thing is making sure he is in the best possible shape right now, and then I will discuss with the doctor and Jake around where is he is at short term and medium term.”

Meanwhile, the Roosters’ impressive season-opening performance could cop another setback with Angus Crichton facing a one-match suspension for a crusher tackle, while Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was not charged after being put on report for lashing out with his forearm in a tackle.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Roosters face up to being without co-captain Jake Friend after concussion blow