Trent Robinson addresses heavy Roosters injury toll

Brendan Bradford

Trent Robinson addresses heavy Roosters injury toll image

Trent Robinson has raised the possibility of a loan system as he struggles with a brutal injury toll heading into the last quarter of the season. 

Young gun Billy Smith (foot) is the latest Rooster to join the casualty ward after suffering a lis franc injury against Newcastle last weekend. 

Smith joins teenage gun Joseph Suaalii in missing the rest of the season, while winger Matt Ikuvalu will undergo surgery for a syndesmosis injury.

Add long-term injuries to Luke Keary and Lindsay Collins and the retirements of Boyd Corner, Jake Friend and Brett Morris, and it's a dire situation for Robinson.

"I don't think so. Not in my time," he said when asked if he's experienced a season with such a high injury toll. 

"It's been so varied. You often have trends, whether it's surface or training programs, but it's varied. Across the game it's varied as well.

"Also, I don't believe in luck. You've gotta take responsibility. 

"But I'm trying to work out how we got to that. At the moment it's about moving on and getting the job done."

Robinson has recalled Josh Morris to the starting side after dropping the veteran centre for last week's win over Newcastle following a series of subpar performances. 

Meanwhile, Adam Keighran starts in the centres, with Joey Manu moving to the wing for this Thursday's clash with Parramatta in McKay. 

With a severely depleted squad, Robinson has named Moala Graham-Taufa - who has only played five reserve grade matches - on an extended bench. 

Given the lack of manpower, Robinson said he will look into the player market over the next couple of days. 

"Definitely for us, we're looking at outside backs," he said.  

"We're not sure whether we'll do anything yet, but at the moment we've got one reserve here - a young kid who's only played a couple of reserve grade games. 

"He's got a bright future, but that's all we've got at the moment. 

"We'll have a look, and we'll need to make a decision by Monday. We'll have a look but make sure it's right for the Roosters."

Unable to lean on reserve grade and Jersey Flegg, Robinson urged the NRL to consider introducing a loan system while teams are based in bubbles in Queensland for the rest of the season. 

"Usually we would have the North Sydney Bears - we'd have a full team playing there - and we'd have Jersey Flegg and if we got in a situation, we'd be able to call on any one of those players at this time of year," he said. 

"There's always going to be centres and wingers playing for North Sydney that we'd choose if we needed to, but that's not an option. 

"That's not an option here. We don't have anybody outside of the people here in the hub that we can call on. 

"It's very different and some adaptability from the NRL is possibly needed there."

 

Brendan Bradford