Roosters captain James Tedesco has revealed Sam Walker is on monitor 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 a minimum of half of this present one.
Chad Townsend has changed him at halfback with Sandon Smith partnering him within the halves. The latter was spectacular throughout the Roosters’ shock win in opposition to the Panthers, ending with a attempt help, two line break assists and scoring a attempt.
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Smith might have his first-choice halfback returning by the point Origin begins, in response to 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. Â 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 many of the session, clearly not the contact stuff absolutely but however he is on the market throwing cut-out passes, tearing us aside so he is trying good.”
When Walker does return, he can 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 brief league profession.
Tedesco described his teammate as “one among our greatest”.
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“He is a giant physique, he is sturdy, quick and bought good footwork however he is actually skilful. That was in all probability one factor I used to be actually stunned by when he came to visit, simply his capacity with fast palms, his capacity to know when to move and when to run, that is been an actual asset for us,” he stated.
“He is nonetheless studying the right way to play NRL, studying the right way to play left centre, it is not simple coming in and studying defensively the right way to play centre however I believe he asks a number of questions, he is actually good to have across the boys and he learns actually shortly so he is doing an excellent job.”
