Roosters’ SOS amid injury crisis

The Sydney Roosters have been forced to approach the NRL for an exemption to name players outside their top 30 after an injury crisis left coach Trent Robinson with only 19 fit players.

Teenage star Joseph Suaalii at a training session at Kippax Lake on Monday. Picture: Getty Images

The Sydney Roosters have been forced to approach the NRL for an exemption to name players from outside their top 30 after an injury crisis left coach Trent Robinson with only 19 fit players for their Sunday night game against the Warriors.

Robinson also confirmed teenagers Sam Walker and Joseph Suaalii would be named in the NRL squad on Tuesday afternoon, although only Walker is assured to play against the Warriors.

“I will need an exemption to name 21,” Robinson said. “We have a few injuries there that we didn’t want to happen, but they have. This is not unique. There were a few (injuries) over the weekend.”

Robinson will be without captains Jake Friend and Boyd Cordner, as well as Luke Keary, Lyndsay Collins, Sam Verrills, Adam Keighran, Billy Smith and Lachlan Lam through injury at the weekend.

Daniel Suluka-Fifita will also miss the game through suspension. It leaves Robinson with stretched resources, particularly in the halves.

That will mean a debut for Walker, although he may be forced to start on the interchange bench as Robinson weighs up moving centre Joey Manu to the halves to play alongisde Drew Hutchison.

If that happens, Suaalii may come into contention for a place in the outside backs.

Asked about the prospect of playing Manu in the halves, Robinson said: “He has played five-eighth for us so that is definitely an option for us, which does open up the outside backs.

“They are the two decisions around Joey and Sam there. We have Drew there, who has played a lot for us and quite an experienced guy now for little games.

“Then we have young Sam ready to play. I think he is ready. The way that he has trained and the way he has played in reserve grade, and even in the trial in Canberra. He is ready to go.”

As for Suaalii, Robinson indicated he was unlikely to play.

“He is in the mix there as well but we’re pretty good in (the) outside backs,” he said.

“I don’t think he will play.”

Despite the injury toll confronting his club, Robinson was reluctant to buy into the debate over the introduction of an 18th man. The change has been demanded by the players union but Robinson is happy to leave a decision in the hands of Rugby League Central.

“Our [injuries] have been varied,” he said.

“We had a wrist, a knee in contact on the ground, Luke (Keary) uncontested, Lyndsay Collins on contact. There is not a trend.

“It is up to us to work out why that has happened. I only see my team’s data and that’s why the NRL needs to be asked that question (about the 18th man) — they see every team’s data.”