Roosters lose star to injury, clinch minor premiership
Margie McDonald |
The Sydney Roosters lost star halfback Tarryn Aiken to a knee injury, but it didn’t stop them beating Cronulla 40-10 to finish the regular season with a perfect 11 wins from 11 rounds and claim the NRLW minor premiership.
But all eyes will be on Aiken’s injury, which was initially said to be a heavy knock to the kneecap. She had missed the opening four games of the season with a shoulder injury.
Aiken was helped off Gosford’s Polytec Stadium on Thursday night by two trainers after being injured in the 15th minute.
Kiwi prop Amber Hall also limped from the field after scoring a try in the 31st minute, and didn’t return for the second term.
Aiken’s injury certainly didn’t slow down the Tri Colours, who scored first-half tries to Jayme Fressard (two), Mia Wood, Isabelle Kelly and Hall to take a comfortable 24-0 lead into the sheds at halftime.
In the second half the Sharks stemmed the flow a little with tries to winger Dominique du Toit and fullback Jada Taylor before she had to undergo a concussion test, which she passed.
But the Roosters added further tries to Olivia Kernick, Taina Naividi and Keeley Davis to re-assert their dominance, despite being down on troops.
“We have a few injuries, but no doubt someone will step up to fill those shoes,” Jocelyn Kelleher told Channel Nine.
Kelleher had moved from five-eighth to halfback to cover for Aiken, and her four conversions saw her become the first player to pass 250 points in the eight years of the NRLW competition.
“I only found out this morning that no one has ever done it and that I was close, so I’m stoked,” she said.
John Strange’s players have earned themselves a week off before the preliminary finals on September 27-28, giving the Roosters extra time to help Aiken and Hall recover.
“The week off definitely won’t be a break as coaches have told us we’ll be getting smashed in training during the week,” Kelleher said.
Interchange forward Eliza Lopamaua was more than a capable replacement in the middle for Hall, making 11 runs for 161 metres in just 26 minutes.
Cronulla coach Tony Herman has little time to turn things around as the Sharks back up next weekend in the elimination finals, the Knights their likely opponents.
The Sharks also have injury concerns, losing winger Georgia Ravics (knee) during the week.
Ravics is the side’s top try-scorer, with 10 in 10 games.
AAP
