Billy Smith has sustained a major knee injury at training.

[crikey chris]

Poor bastard!
2 ACL's in 2 years.
Sounding like very familiar territory to another former Easts centre with massive potential, Tau Tau Moga.
Teddy came back bigger and stronger after having horrendous luck with leg injuries early on.

Should promote from within. No need to make any rash purchases.
The sky is not falling in. We have enough talent across the board to be OK.
No panic needed.

[Thirteen]

Feel sorry for Billy Smith.... hope he makes a full recovery and gets back out there in due course.

I reckon Ryan Hall was under-rated last year.... despite the spate of injuries, he is a safe pair of hands and made good running metres when he was on the paddock.

I don’t think we should be too worried about the individual quality of our replacement centre... the Roosters system is more important than any individual player!

Well said. I agree.

[Thirteen]

My mistake Mr Perfect; I meant Hall to right wing. Thank you Mr Perfect for arrogantly and obnoxiously pointing out my error.

Not a problem. Always happy to assist and teach.

[Hawkeye]

Does John Rheinberger have any off spring ?

[The Skeez]

Thoughts and prayers are with Billy at this tough time

[Mickie Lane]

Look on he bright side lucky it wasn’t Keary.
Everyone must realise injury is part of the game & that the Roosters have a couple of back ups & they also only have 27 players on their books so another 3 guys still have to be promoted or signed. Christian Tuipolotu could be the answer.
Also everyone has to calm down about this 3peat & winning everything. You need a lot of luck to go your way to keep winning things & we all know that luck comes & go’s. I just want to see the Roosters continue to make the top 4 & be one of the top clubs & hopefully picking up a title once every few years.

[Bondicigar]

Aubo to right centre manu to left

[Headless Chook]

There's a brilliant attacking centre called William Kennedy playing reggies for the Sharks (Jets) , but his defence needs work.

These are the areas I'd be scouting. The Canterbury Cup is a pretty strong comp now with some bargain basement options.

Heck, Jack used to pull them out of pub comps if he liked something about them.

In our system, guys can flourish.

Yeah except he's a fullback not a centre! On another note I believe his 51yo father is available and he plays centre, although I have heard rumours he's signed on with the Orange Barbarians for this season

[Tommy Smith]

I'm more saddened for young Billy personally because it's not a crushing blow to our title hopes; but it is a crushing blow to the kid.

Imagine dedicating your life to becoming an NRL player only to have consecutive ACL injuries before you turn 21. It's any young players worst nightmare.

Thankfully he's at a great supportive club that will look after his welfare and recovery.

[ism22]

Look on he bright side lucky it wasn’t Keary.
Everyone must realise injury is part of the game & that the Roosters have a couple of back ups & they also only have 27 players on their books so another 3 guys still have to be promoted or signed. Christian Tuipolotu could be the answer.
Also everyone has to calm down about this 3peat & winning everything. You need a lot of luck to go your way to keep winning things & we all know that luck comes & go’s. I just want to see the Roosters continue to make the top 4 & be one of the top clubs & hopefully picking up a title once every few years.

Oh true... like outta all the guys it coulda been, this ain't too bad! We were without Friend last year and still did pretty good overall. Smith is less important to our chances than Friend was (not ignoring Verrills' contribution, obviously).

Ikuvalu will slot in IMO and we'll do alright.

I'm more saddened for young Billy personally because it's not a crushing blow to our title hopes; but it is a crushing blow to the kid.

Imagine dedicating your life to becoming an NRL player only to have consecutive ACL injuries before you turn 21. It's any young players worst nightmare.

Thankfully he's at a great supportive club that will look after his welfare and recovery.

Agreed. Hope his career can continue and go places (with us). Poor bugger! What's worse is that this was sorta his first big chance to lock-in a first grade place and he was denied the opportunity to prove himself.

[Ivan Benko]

IF this is true, here's my solution:

• BMoz to left centre
• Ryan Hall to right wing

On other posts in this thread:

• Yes to JMoz if above isn't ideal
• No to Joseph Leilus - defensive issues

Ryan Hall still not fit for start of comp

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Yeah except he's a fullback not a centre! On another note I believe his 51yo father is available and he plays centre, although I have heard rumours he's signed on with the Orange Barbarians for this season

Right...I thought I seen him play centre this year.

Oh he's Bubbas boy? Can see where he gets the flair from.

[TheLoneRooster]

Not a problem. Always happy to assist and teach.

Pfft. You've taught me nothing and only confirmed my perception of your general Forum demeanour.

[Vasco]

Does John Rheinberger have any off spring ?

Very good.

[The Skeez]

Phew.. was about to get his name and number 3 on the back of one of my jerseys. Thought he was the messiah