NRL 2021: Gun young halfback Sam Walker ready to fire for Roosters in the finals

The Roosters will start the NRL finals without a host of stars, but coach Trent Robinson still has an ace up his sleeve.

Roosters captain James Tedesco has led his team to fourth - for now. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Trent Robinson says rookie halfback Sam Walker will have a “big impact” in the finals after he received a second freshen-up in the space of three weeks as the club’s other halves stole the show in the 40-16 win over Canberra.

Walker has been a revelation with 21 try assists since he made his NRL debut back in round 4, but he played just six minutes on Thursday after he was brought on late in the blowout win.

It’s the second time Robinson has used the tactic after Walker also came off the bench in the round 23 win over the Dragons in which he scored a try and set another one up.

Drew Hutchison and Lachlan Lam started in the halves against Canberra and were both terrific, but Walker is the trump card who can win the Roosters a finals game with three classy touches.

“He’s going to have a big impact,” Robinson said.

“Just the way the game went tonight, I thought Lachie was doing a really good job there. There are different ways that I can use Lachie as well, so it’s a bit of a wait and see to see how I use Sammy.

“But Sammy is going to play a part, that’s for sure. Fullback as well.”

Hutchison has flown under the radar this year but has been quietly brilliant as cover for the injured Luke Keary.

He set up three tries on Thursday and ran the ball strongly every time the Roosters got close to the line.

“I love the guys that play the balance between passing the ball but also knowing the picture in front of them and running the ball like that,” his coach said.

“It was a really class performance from them, and they deserved it.”

Lachlan Lam starred in the win over Canberra. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

The result moves the Roosters up into the top four for now, but that will change if the Sea Eagles or Eels win this weekend.

It’s still an amazing result for a club that has the bulk of their salary cap in the casualty ward and was written off after last week’s thumping at the hands of the Rabbitohs.

“I’m really proud of the regular season,” Robinson said.

“We’ve put ourselves back into fourth position and that applies pressure to the other teams if they want to jump above us.

“This season, to be in the position that we are, I’m really proud of the way that the guys are playing. But a new competition starts (next week) and you have to be ready to go because you don’t ease your way into finals.

“You always want to finish first, but the longer the season has gone, the cards that have been dealt have been different, so I’m really proud of the way that we’ve played.

“But you don’t ever settle. If you’re in the fight then you want to keep going. This is where it really counts.”