Trent Robinson has declared three key Sydney Roosters forwards will be fit and raring to go for Wednesday’s Anzac Day blockbuster with St George Illawarra.
Despite having the extra day turnaround on the Dragons from last week, the Roosters were left bruised and battered by their effort to stonewall Canterbury’s attack on Thursday night.
Co-captain Jake Friend failed to finish the match with a concussion, while Dylan Napa also spent time off the field with an injured AC joint in his shoulder.
Five-eighth Luke Keary claimed the win to be the most physically taxing of his career, while the Roosters were also without Sio Siua Taukeiaho in the middle as he recovered from a knee injury.
But the Roosters coach said on Monday he expected Friend, Napa and Taukeiaho to recover for the Allianz Stadium clash, with none of his other players carrying serious injuries out of the win.
“(Jake’s) been really good,” Robinson said.
“Obviously I think it’s a five-six day protocol so we will finish that off tomorrow but he’s on track.
“Sio Siua trained well today. And he will be ready to go as long as he gets through tomorrow. Dylan is right to go as well.”
The Roosters effort to hold the Bulldogs to nil last week was the first time they have kept a team scoreless in two years, and was particularly impressive given the Bulldogs had 52 play-the-balls in their opposition’s 20-metre zone in the tri-colours’ 6-0 victory.
“We’re an improving team,” Robinson said.
“Not many teams have done that, what we did last week, this year. To be able to stand and deliver for that long showed some great courage and technique.
“We want to improve on that this week.”
But the Roosters will need to rebound quickly.
The ladder-leading Dragons have one of the most complete forward packs in the NRL, and the Anzac Day clash is traditionally one of the toughest regardless of form.
“It’s going to be massive,” Roosters co-captain Boyd Cordner said.
“They turn up every week and they’re a tough formidable side at the moment. We’re going to have to roll up our sleeves for the 80 minutes.
“All of them are in really good form and getting the praise they deserve. They’re playing with a lot of confidence. But we’re confident if we’re playing our best footy we’ve got enough to stop them.”
