Superstar halfback Sam Walker won’t make a miraculous return from injury for the Roosters this weekend, but there are several big name players who have been cleared for the sudden-death showdowns.
All eyes were on the Roosters team sheet and whether Walker would be named just three weeks after he required surgery to repair an injured syndesmosis.
“If he can play, I’m sure he will, but it’s a big ask after three weeks,” Roosters skipper James Tedesco said a few hours before the teams were named.
“Honestly, we just came in today. I haven’t even seen him.”
Walker missed last week’s qualifying loss to the Panthers but has resumed running, with coach Trent Robinson replying “never say never” when asked about his halfback’s availability last week.
“It’s only been a couple of weeks, so he’s probably got another week or so, I’m guessing,” Tedesco said.
“But he started to do some running, which is really quickly after surgery, so just see how he goes, keep progressing, and give himself a chance.
“I think he wanted to be out there playing, and it’s probably hard to watch from the sidelines over the last month or so. But he’s doing everything he can to get back out there as quickly as possible, and that’s all we can ask.”
Hugo Savala keeps hit spot in the halves alongside veteran Daly Cherry-Evans, with the Roosters getting a boost on the bench with back-rower Angus Crichton set to play his first game since round 15 after he overcame a foot injury.
It’s smooth sailing for their opponents with Craig Fitzgibbon naming the same starting side that eliminated North Queensland from the finals, with Mawene Hiroti joining the extended bench as he eyes a return at right centre.
There’s mixed news across the ditch with star winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak cleared to return just a few weeks after he broke his right clavicle.
He’s an enormous in for the Warriors and has been named on an extended bench along with Leka Halasima who was a late scratching last week with a hamstring issue.
But there is a major out with Jackson Ford (ankle) not named after he picked up a fresh injury in his first game back from a major pectoral injury.
They take on the Knights who are flying high after beating the Rabbitohs, with star edge forward Dylan Lucas listed in the reserves after he suffered a gruesome ankle injury just two months ago.
Originally published as ‘Big ask’: Sam Walker not named as several stars named to make shock returns for sudden-death finals.