Roosters captain James Tedesco has revealed Sam Walker is on observe to push the membership in the direction of finals as he continues his rehabilitation from an ACL harm.
Walker suffered the harm in opposition to the Raiders in spherical 26 final yr ruling him out for the rest of final season and not less than half of this present one.
Chad Townsend has changed him at halfback with Sandon Smith partnering him within the halves. The latter was spectacular in the course of the Roosters’ shock win in opposition to the Panthers, ending with a strive help, two line break assists and scoring a strive.
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Smith may have his first-choice halfback returning by the point Origin begins, in keeping with Tedesco.
The Roosters are more likely to be lacking Angus Crichton and Connor Watson throughout that interval as a result of Blues duties.
Sam Walker after his harm. Getty
“Center of the yr I believe, spherical 12 or 13,” Tedesco stated of Walker’s return on 9’s 100% Footy.
“He is at coaching doing a lot of the session, clearly not the contact stuff totally but however he is on the market throwing cut-out passes, tearing us aside so he is wanting good.”
When Walker does return, he may have an thrilling prospect in Mark Nawaqanitawase at his disposal.
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The rugby union convert scored first for the Roosters in opposition to the Panthers and has impressed in his quick league profession.
Tedesco described his teammate as “considered one of our greatest”.
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“He is an enormous physique, he is sturdy, quick and bought good footwork however he is actually skilful. That was most likely one factor I used to be actually stunned by when he came visiting, simply his skill with fast arms, his skill to know when to go and when to run, that is been an actual asset for us,” he stated.
“He is nonetheless studying methods to play NRL, studying methods to play left centre, it isn’t straightforward coming in and studying defensively methods to play centre however I believe he asks quite a lot of questions, he is actually good to have across the boys and he learns actually shortly so he is doing a very good job.”
