Roosters’ belief ‘as high as ever’ despite Walker blow
Jasper Bruce |
James Tedesco says he rates Sandon Smith just as highly as Sam Walker, adamant the Sydney Roosters’ belief remains “as high as ever” in their superstar halfback’s absence.
The eighth-placed Roosters’ finals fate will be taken out of their hands if they lose Friday’s tough trip to Melbourne, which Walker misses with the concussion he suffered in the defeat to Parramatta.
It’s set the stage for Smith to partner Hugo Savala in the halves for the crucial clash after being overlooked for NRL action for the past month.
Smith had looked set to spend significant time in the halves this season before the emergence of Savala pushed the highly-rated Central Coast product down the pecking order.
He has played only one of the Roosters’ past seven games, when gun rookie Savala was out with a hand injury.
But Smith has his teammates’ confidence as he prepares to replace Walker, the form halfback of the NRL, in the Roosters’ hour of greatest need.
“We love Sam and we know how good a player he is, but I rate Sanga just as much and I know he’ll do a good job for us,” said captain Tedesco.
“I just want Sanga to come in and be himself.
“His running, his threats and his instincts are great for our team so we just want to encourage him to back himself and play his game.”
Smith comes into the side following a disappointing 30-10 loss to Parramatta that shook up the race for the last remaining top-eight spot.
The Dolphins and Manly are now only a win behind the Roosters, who will fall out of the top eight if they lose to the Storm and the Dolphins beat last-placed Gold Coast.
“The belief is still as high as ever,” Tedesco said of his side’s evenly-poised season.
“The performance on the weekend was not good enough and we know that. But the belief between these four walls is very high, and it’s on us leaders to lead that and encourage these boys to play our footy.”
Smith has impressed the Roosters with his recent form, most recently scoring two tries to help their NSW Cup side defeat North Sydney last week.
“He’s matured as a player. I’m really looking forward to having him in the team this week,” said prop Lindsay Collins.
Collins said the Roosters only had to cast their eyes to the wall of their Moore Park training base for motivation in a season-defining fortnight and possible finals campaign after that.
“There’s a big plaque up on the wall as you walk in: We play for premierships,” he said.
“That’s what we do every year. It’s no different to any other year. We’ve got a job to do at the back end of the year but first thing’s first, we’ve got Storm this week.”
AAP
