Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.<\/p>\n
Roosters coach Trent Robinson says Joseph Manu will not play in the team\u2019s do-or-die final-round clash with South Sydney after picking up a hamstring injury in last week\u2019s clash against the Tigers.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a massive blow for the Bondi club, who have to win Friday night\u2019s game to make the finals, and are already without enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who copped a seven-match ban at the judiciary this week.<\/p>\n
Robinson said the club were hopeful earlier in the week that Manu would be cleared to play, but the call was made on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe ran the other day, but I don\u2019t think he\u2019ll get there, it\u2019s too short,\u201d Robinson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was probably concerned after the game. As soon as you come off with a hammy injury it\u2019s unlikely you\u2019re going to get through and get into the game there. So yeah, he won\u2019t play.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI like the fact that the medical staff [said] there\u2019s a small percentage chance … they said \u2018look, name him, we\u2019ll do what we can to see if we can get him through\u2019. But not enough to get through to the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Joseph Manu picked up a hamstring injury against the Tigers last week.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n With Manu out, Corey Allan will start in the centres alongside Billy Smith.<\/p>\n In a win for the club, skipper James Tedesco comes back into the side after sitting out last week\u2019s game due to the NRL\u2019s 11-day stand-down protocols around concussion.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the biggest clash of the year for both teams with a top-eight spot on the line, but Robinson said it doesn\u2019t matter which team is standing on the other side of the pitch.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re all big, they\u2019re always big. I think the context around it makes it really exciting. Winner-takes-all there is pretty clear,\u201d Robinson said.<\/p>\n Roosters coach Trent Robinson.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n \u201cWe could be playing Camden Rams this week for a spot in the finals, and it wouldn\u2019t make any difference as far as opposition.<\/p>\n \u201cThe prize has been pretty clear for us for a month that we needed to keep winning and whoever was in front of us we needed to play our best footy and keep improving and win games. There\u2019s no difference tomorrow night, it just happens to be a great story and rivalry.\u201d<\/p>\n Robinson said the loss of Waerea-Hargreaves was frustrating with the season on the line.<\/p>\n \u201cAs expected, [I\u2019m] disappointed in what happened and obviously the result on Tuesday night doubled down on that, and it\u2019s a disappointing way for him to finish the season and the impact on our club hasn\u2019t been great,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s only natural to be that way [angry about it]. That doesn\u2019t change the way I think about him or the care I have for him, but of course, you\u2019re angry because you represent the club, and we\u2019re all fighting for something, and for him not to be there to be a part of that is disappointing.\u201d<\/p>\n With a win the team\u2019s only option, Robinson brushed any suggestion his players needed to be cautious of their on-field behaviour so as not to pick up any further suspensions.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no risk. There\u2019s only reward. That\u2019s all there is this week. That\u2019s the belief in what we can do tomorrow night, the belief in the reward about what\u2019s coming is that it\u2019s all upside,\u201d Robinson said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the way that you view it. There\u2019s no holding back as far as the way that you want to play. The reward is sitting right there.\u201d<\/p>\n Stream the NRL Premiership 2023 live and free on <\/b>9Now<\/b>. <\/b><\/p>\n Sports news, results and expert commentary. <\/i><\/b>Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Most Viewed in Sport<\/h2>\n
From our partners<\/h3>\n