Robinson lauds Walker after successful NRL return

Jasper Bruce | August 27, 2023

Trent Robinson has lauded Sam Walker for taking control of the Sydney Roosters on return from a long-term knee injury.

Saturday night’s 32-8 defeat of Wests Tigers was Walker’s first NRL game since recovering from the anterior cruciate ligament sprain he suffered just after being dropped from the side in April.

It had been a protracted recovery process for the halfback, whose injury the Roosters feared could become aggravated by a premature return to play.

But Walker showed no signs of rust on his return at Allianz Stadium and was influential in a tight first half.

After the Tigers were first to score, Walker helped the Roosters hit back with a try.

He skipped inside before bouncing free of Api Koroisau and Fonua Pole en route to the tryline.

Walker forced two dropouts late in the opening stanza as the Roosters kept the heat on the Tigers, eventually scoring through Daniel Tupou to take a 14-8 halftime lead.

The 21-year-old was not so involved in the second half, spending 15 minutes off the field for a head injury assessment after collecting Isaiah Papali’i’s knee while attempting a tackle.

Walker passed his HIA so will be free to line up against South Sydney next Friday in a game likely to decide both sides’ finals fortunes.

Walker’s possible return had been a hot topic at the Roosters for weeks as they narrowly remained in the fight for a finals berth. Robinson was pleased he was able to have an immediate impact.

“Scoring a try was pretty good. There were a couple of really good defensive plays,” Robinson said.

“He’s shown it during the week, his composure during the week, those other things have come on the back of him controlling the team.

“He did that really well tonight. ‘Kez’ (five-eighth Luke Keary) talked about his communication out there was really clear. That was great.”

Keary admired Walker for not overplaying his hand on return.

“You never know what he’s going to do but I thought he was really controlled tonight,” he said.

“Obviously he had some really good moments in that first half.

“I’ve seen him work hard over the last few months. There’s obviously a bit of frustration, a few setbacks, but I loved having him out there.”