The Roosters’ backline woes have continued with centre Billy Smith ruled out of their trip to Melbourne after it was revealed that he fractured his jaw in their win over Cronulla on Saturday night.
Joseph Suaalii (head knock) is also out after being stood down under the 11-day concussion protocols while Joey Manu (hamstring) is not expected to be fit for the game.
Smith soldiered on in the game, limiting the chaos in an already-depleted backline, but with him now missing, it is likely that the Roosters will have to replace more than half of their outside backs.
“For him to play through a broken jaw, is unbelievable,” captain James Tedesco said. “He still took hit-ups and play ones. He made some big tackles as well, some of the plays he came up with were massive.
“There was no complaining from him. There was no ‘I want to come off or it’s not feeling great’. He just did what he had to do so. From our point of view, it’s one of the bravest we’ve seen for sure.”
Corey Allen will certainly be in, though it is not yet clear whether that will be as a centre or on the wing, and likely Drew Hutchison will take a centre spot.
Siua Wong has deputised as an outside back and is an option. Alternatively, Jaxson Paulo could make a return to the side after not featuring since Round 12.
One player who is in is half Sam Walker, who has been fined $1000 for a high tackle on Cronulla’s Braydon Trindall but not suspended.
The Storm will need to find replacements for Ryan Papenhuyzen (broken ankle) and Xavier Coates (syndesmosis) for Friday’s home clash with the Roosters.
Ryan Papenhuyzen after suffering his ankle injury against Brisbane. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy indicated Justin Olam, Reimis Smith and Grant Anderson were in the frame to boost their outside backs.
Jackson Hastings is all but certain to miss Newcastle’s semi-final in Auckland against the Warriors after aggravating his ankle injury in Sunday’s win over Canberra.
The Warriors could also be without their first-choice halfback with Shaun Johnson no guarantee to return after sitting out the loss to Penrith with a calf strain.
Hastings failed to return in the second half of the nail-biting win due to the injury he’s been battling since he was the victim of a hip-drop tackle in last month’s win over Canterbury.
Newcastle haven’t been to week two of the finals since 2013 but Hastings said he wouldn’t take the field unless he was able to go at full throttle.
“It just wasn’t working from where I got whacked on the leg,” Hastings said. “I was praying I just hit a nerve. I’m hoping it’s not an extension of what I’ve already done.
“I’m not going to scan it, I’m just going to see how I feel and try and get out there next week. I’m not going to compromise the team. If I can’t go out there and do my job, and I can’t move, there’s no way I’ll play.
“But if I can, I’ll put my hand up and I’ll have a go.”
Coach Adam O’Brien nominated journeyman Adam Clune as the most likely man to fill the void left by Hastings.
The Knights also have second-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder) under a cloud after he had a recurrence of his ongoing injury against Canberra.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster is confident Johnson will return, pushing Dylan Walker back to the bench.
“We’ll be day-by-day there and keep ticking over but yeah confident he’ll be all right,” he said.
Warriors skipper Tohu Harris ($1000-$1500 for a crusher tackle) is free to play after only being fined for an incident on Panthers forward Luke Garner.
Week 2 Finals Teams
Semi-Final: Friday, September 15, 7.50pm (EST), AAMI Park
Melbourne Storm (3) vs Sydney Roosters (7)
Odds: Storm $1.33, Roosters $3.30 – odds via PlayUp
Storm: Reimis Smith, Grant Anderson and Justin Olam are in contention to replace bench utility Ryan Papenhuyzen and winger Xavier Coates after their ankle injuries against Brisbane.
Trent Loiero and Marion Seve need to pass the concussion protocols after colliding in the closing stages of the loss.
Roosters: Joseph Manu failed to finish the win over Cronulla due to his troublesome hamstring while Joseph Suaalii has been ruled out under the concussion protocols. Centre Billy Smith bravely soldiered on with a broken jaw against the Sharks but won’t play again this year.
Sam Walker escaped a ban for a high tackle and has been cleared of an ankle problem.
Veteran winger Daniel Tupou’s knee injury means he will be out for at least another week.
Semi-Final: Saturday, September 16, 4.05pm (EST), Go Media Stadium
New Zealand Warriors (4) vs Newcastle Knights (5)
Odds: Warriors $1.50, Knights $2.60 – odds via PlayUp
Warriors: Andrew Webster is confident he can send Dylan Walker back to the bench with star playmaker Shaun Johnson likely to return from the calf complaint he picked up at training last Wednesday.
Tohu Harris has avoided suspension for a crusher tackle.
Knights: Adam Clune is set to replace Jackson Hastings at halfback while Super League-bound forward Lachlan Fitzgibbon may have played his last game for the club due to a shoulder injury with Brodie Jones in line to replace him in the pack.
with AAP
