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Roosters coach Trent Robinson has confirmed Luke Keary will wear the No.7 jersey in 2021 and revealed it will be Lachie Lam who partners the star playmaker in the halves.
Lam has edged out Drew Hutchison and teen prodigy Sam Walker, son of former NRL half Ben, and the man tipped to become the Chooks’ long-term halfback.
“We’ve got four halves that are really pushing hard and training well. Luke Keary and Lachie Lam are our halves to start the season,” Robinson told Fox Sports’ Lara Pitt on Wednesday.
“Then we’ve got Drew Hutchison and Sam Walker sort of saying ‘I’m here and I’m ready’ as well. You always need a group of them. It’s like any sport, there has to be a group of players that are pushing hard, but we know where we’re going.”
Lam, son of Roosters great, Adrian has played 11 NRL games since making his top grade debut for the Tricolours in 2019.
Robinson showed his faith in the 22-year-old’s ability when he dropped Kyle Flanagan last season in favour of him — only for Lam to suffer an ankle injury a week later.
Much has been made of the Roosters’ halves combination ever since Flanagan was sensationally axed from the club after just his first full season in a highly scrutinised position.
However Robinson is confident in the direction the team is headed, including placing the No.7 on Keary’s back.
“Yep, definitely,” Robinson said when asked if Keary will shift to halfback.
Despite a change on the team sheet, Robinson says there won’t be much changing in Keary’s game. The 29-year-old was the chief playmaker last season — even in the No.6 jersey — and he’ll play that same role again.
“It’s not as simple as changing the number on the jersey,” he said.
“There’s a responsibility that goes with that. There’s an ownership of the team and the game management that goes with that, sort of the final decisions when it comes to game management are usually with that number.
“Sometimes it can shift to a No.9 in other teams, but that’s also why it’s not a big shift because he’s been doing it already, he is that guy for us.
“So it was time to assume that role, he’s learnt off the best and now it’s time for him to become great in that role and allow some other guys to come through in the No.6
“I think you can see he was our leader. Him and James were our leaders in the way our game went but also assuming that role is really important because then it’s clear for everybody else and it will allow the other players to flow off him.”
Source: Fox Sports League
Link: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...da0356a3b57837
Lam has edged out Drew Hutchison and teen prodigy Sam Walker, son of former NRL half Ben, and the man tipped to become the Chooks’ long-term halfback.
“We’ve got four halves that are really pushing hard and training well. Luke Keary and Lachie Lam are our halves to start the season,” Robinson told Fox Sports’ Lara Pitt on Wednesday.
“Then we’ve got Drew Hutchison and Sam Walker sort of saying ‘I’m here and I’m ready’ as well. You always need a group of them. It’s like any sport, there has to be a group of players that are pushing hard, but we know where we’re going.”
Lam, son of Roosters great, Adrian has played 11 NRL games since making his top grade debut for the Tricolours in 2019.
Robinson showed his faith in the 22-year-old’s ability when he dropped Kyle Flanagan last season in favour of him — only for Lam to suffer an ankle injury a week later.
Much has been made of the Roosters’ halves combination ever since Flanagan was sensationally axed from the club after just his first full season in a highly scrutinised position.
However Robinson is confident in the direction the team is headed, including placing the No.7 on Keary’s back.
“Yep, definitely,” Robinson said when asked if Keary will shift to halfback.
Despite a change on the team sheet, Robinson says there won’t be much changing in Keary’s game. The 29-year-old was the chief playmaker last season — even in the No.6 jersey — and he’ll play that same role again.
“It’s not as simple as changing the number on the jersey,” he said.
“There’s a responsibility that goes with that. There’s an ownership of the team and the game management that goes with that, sort of the final decisions when it comes to game management are usually with that number.
“Sometimes it can shift to a No.9 in other teams, but that’s also why it’s not a big shift because he’s been doing it already, he is that guy for us.
“So it was time to assume that role, he’s learnt off the best and now it’s time for him to become great in that role and allow some other guys to come through in the No.6
“I think you can see he was our leader. Him and James were our leaders in the way our game went but also assuming that role is really important because then it’s clear for everybody else and it will allow the other players to flow off him.”
Source: Fox Sports League
Link: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...da0356a3b57837
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