Fans slam crusher tackle as Roosters star Dominic Young to miss Vegas tour

Fans have turned on a Manly forward after his crusher tackle forced a star Rooster out of the NRL’s glitzy trip to Las Vegas.

Sydney Roosters star Dominic Young is taken from the field. Photos: NRL Photos and Sydney Roosters

Dominic Young, one of the Roosters’ star recruits for 2024, has been forced out of the NRL’s glitzy season launch in Las Vegas.

The winger, who joined the Bondi Junction club from Newcastle ahead of the upcoming season, copped a crusher tackle from Manly forward Toafofoa Sipley in a trial match in Gosford on Saturday.

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Young was taken to hospital with a neck injury as a result and scans have revealed the 22-year-old suffered ligament damage, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Post-game, Roosters coach Trent Robinson said: “He’s good, it’s just when you’re dealing with the neck, you want to be precautionary so he’s just gone to the hospital to get a scan.

“He was good in there (the dressing room) talking and sitting up and all that, but they just want to keep it stable just so we know what’s exactly wrong with it.

Young was preparing for his first season with the Roosters. Picture: Roosters digital

“But he was in good spirits and he was fine.

“I thought it was accidental and didn’t look good. There was a lot of force at that point.

“I don’t know what (the referees’) thought process is during the trial games … so I don’t really have an opinion on that apart from exactly how it was.

“It wasn’t intentional, but it was a lot of force on his neck.”

The winger posted an Instagram story of himself scoring a try against the Sea Eagles with the caption: “I’m all good. Appreciate all the messages.”

Jeez that looked bad…
Roosters injury curse continues..🤦‍♂️
Really feel for Dom and hope for a speedy recovery.

— Duke25 (@Duke2517) February 18, 2024

But he has been ruled out of round one and may require surgery.

It means Young, one of the competition’s high-flyers, will miss the opportunity to strut his stuff against the Broncos at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on March 3.

It continues an unfortunate run for the Englishman, who was forced to miss a three-Test series for his country against Tonga in October last year after Young suffered a frightening sinus infection that spread to his brain.

He had been suffering headaches before a flight to the United Kingdom exacerbated the issue.

Young is helped from the field after the Injury. NRL PHOTOS

Young had a breakout season for the Knights in 2023. NRL PHOTOS

Now he is facing another stint on the sidelines and fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to vent their outrage at the tackle that has dented his debut season with the Tricolours.

“That has to be one of the worst crusher tackles in a while tbh,” was one comment.

“Sipley is about to have a very extended off season,” wrote another.

“Shocking tackle, that’s at least 10 wks on the sideline!” suggested another.

“Missed playing for England because he was in hospital and now this. Poor bloke can’t catch a break atm,” added a fourth.

Originally published as Fans slam crusher tackle as Roosters star Dominic Young to miss Vegas tour