Manu on standby to start season at five-eighth

[fletch]

MANU SET FOR POSITIONAL SWITCH

Joey Manu is in the frame to start the season at five-eighth for the Sydney Roosters with Luke Keary in doubt to face Newcastle next month due to a foot stress fracture.

Coach Trent Robinson told Fox League Keary, who missed the bulk of last season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury before having a bone spur removed from his ankle in October, was back training but couldn’t be locked in as a definite starter against the Knights at the SCG on March 12.

“He isn’t big but he moves sharply so that turned into a bit of a stress fracture,” Robinson said.

“I’m not going to say he’s going to be there (round one) but he will be close.”

Robinson will roll out most of his big guns in next Friday night’s trial against Wests Tigers in Gosford but James Tedesco won’t play and will watch from the sideline with Keary.

Superstar fullback Tedesco had stem cell surgery on his knee in the off-season but is expected to be right to face Newcastle.

Meanwhile former schoolboy rugby Union prodigy Ronald Volkman’s performance in last Friday night’s trial against Canberra showed he isn’t far away from getting a call up for the Chooks.

The goal kicking five-eighth had an outstanding trial and drew high praise from a couple of good judges in Fox League’s Braith Anasta and Benji Marshall post-match.

[TeddyGoat]

Weird article given the title but no quotes at all suggesting Manu will start at 6.

[ism22]

Weird article given the title but no quotes at all suggesting Manu will start at 6.

Or that Keary's lost the halfback jersey

That just seems to be assumed knowledge, although Walker merely covered him when he was injured last year.

Puff piece IMO.

[Waylander]

Or that Keary's lost the halfback jersey

That just seems to be assumed knowledge, although Walker merely covered him when he was injured last year.

Puff piece IMO.

I agree that Keary will be our 7 for the year, and Walker (or whoever) will play 6. Realistically though, if Keary is out, then Walker will play 7 and probably Hutch at 5/8, although given we have a strong field of candidates for centre it wouldn't be too far fetched to move Manu to 5/8 and play 2 of Momo, Smith, Naiqama of Keighran in teh centres.

[King Salvo]

The trial may give some indication though - mmm should I say this or not - ah why not - Lamny will be fullback again I understand.

[A Country Member]

I like the idea of Manu to stand-off. It could allow Joe Suaalii into the three quarters. We are very dangerous this year

[JB_Cloey]

The trial may give some indication though - mmm should I say this or not - ah why not - Lamny will be fullback again I understand.

Do you have info on this or is it just your view?

I would prefer to give another back up full-back a go - maybe even Manu (who we know can do it) and play Hutch in halves.

[Johnny Brass]

Keary was out all last year and I would have liked to have seen Joey get a run at 5/8 but it didn't happen, it would be a bit of a turnaround from Robbo where he preferred the specialist halves option in Hutch.

[Billy Gunn]

Walker doesn't have a big enough kicking game in my opinion to partner with Manu however I believe that Manu will float in and out of 5/8 all season regardless of who the halves are.

[milanja]

Not a good indication for lam that he hasn’t been mentioned as the fill in half.

[fletch]

SATURDAY MARCH 12

Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights at Sydney Cricket Ground, 3.00pm

Predicted Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Suaalii 5. Kevin Naiqama 6. Joseph Manu 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Ben Marschke 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Siosiua Taukeiaho 16. Egan Butcher 17. Nat Butcher

Team Tips: Luke Keary is in doubt to make his long-awaited return from and ACL injury to partner Sam Walker in the halves in time for Round 1. Keary is racing the clock to recover from ankle surgery after he had a bone spur removed. Joseph Manu is set to replace Keary at five-eighth alongside Walker, with Joseph Suaalii or Billy Smith in the frame to fill in for Manu. Kevin Naiqama is set to fill Brett Morris’ vacant No.5 jersey. The Roosters have a wave of players returning from injury, however first-choice hooker Sam Verrills will miss Round 1 due to a suspension. Ben Marschke seems like the natural replacement however because he’s on a development contract he can’t play NRL before Round 11. New recruit Connor Watson will likely step into the No.9 jersey to replace Verrills. The quality signings of Watson and Paul Momirovski will show their skills in their new Tri-colour jersey. Watson is tipped to play the bench utility role this year, once Verrills returns, while Momirovski slots into the centres to replace the retired Josh Morris. Forward recruit Renouf Atoni is unlikely to force his way into the side for Round 1. Prop Lindsay Collins also makes his way into the side after suffering the same ACL injury as Keary. Coach Trent Robinson may opt for the versatility of Adam Keighran on the bench in Round 1 if Watson does play hooker.

[ism22]

My only reading was that the majority of bloke who played in the trial won't be playing first grade unless there's injuries.

- Naiqama... I'd say is behind Smith, Momirovski and Susalii.
- Keighran, Hutcho and Ronnie are behind Keary, Walker, Watson and Verrills (plus the Cheese next year).
- Whyte probably the one dude who will crack a regular 1st grade spot, but maybe not in 2022. He's behind Crichton, Rads, Butcher x 2, Sitili, Baker and a bunch of props (who I mention as he's competing for a bench spot rather than a starting spot in the back row). Suluka-Fifita's probably in a similar boat (I'd say 1 rung ahead of him on the ladder but has probably almost reached his potential whereas Whyte will eventually be a starter one day IMO).

[The Brain]

This would be a good game been a trial to let MOMO have a bit of time at 5/8th..it was his original possie...anytime coach!

[King Salvo]

Roosters still have 2 spots to fill in the 30 player NRL squad (28 confirmed) - if they do fill them as previous seasons they haven't- 29th player has to be added by the first Monday in March and 30th First Monday in August.

Did anyone get to the bottom of what happened to Cord's Rep Salary Cap relief in 2021- $350k -was it used ?.

Roosters would be getting cap relief for Cords contract for 2022/2023 - 800k a year or so not included in the cap so able to spend that amount on players.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Templa..._Current_Squad

[Thirteen]

I like the idea of Manu to stand-off. It could allow Joe Suaalii into the three quarters. We are very dangerous this year

The Knights won’t like this idea.