Injured Sydney Roosters centre Billy Smith was one of the few players who walked to and from training on Sunday as his teammates revealed the two simple rules they now needed to follow when it comes to the use of e-bikes and scooters.
Smith was ruled out of Friday’s clash with South Sydney after he suffered a concussion in an e-bike fall on Thursday.
The club and Smith’s teammates were disappointed because the crash ruled him out of not only the South Sydney clash, but also Friday’s blockbuster against Penrith, due to NRL’s concussion protocols.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson said after the 26-18 win over Souths that Smith was embarrassed, and the club would review the use of the popular form of transport around Allianz Stadium.
There are no allocated parking spots at the Moore Park venue for players, who have to park at the nearby Entertainment Quarter. They walk more than a kilometre along Driver Avenue to get to training, hence the heavy reliance on bikes and scooters.
“There’ll be discussions around that [use of e-bikes and scooters], but you don’t want to control all parts of life either,” Robinson said after the game.
Billy Smith on an e-bike last week, with Egan Butcher, who walked away unscathed from the same crash.Credit: Instagram
“People can be individuals, but a little bit better care might help get him [Smith] on the field.”
Prop Lindsay Collins, who lost his front tooth riding a bike when he was younger, told this masthead on Sunday the club had made it clear all players need to wear helmets and take no unnecessary risks.