The Sydney Roosters injury ward may have sent chills down Trent Robinson‘s spine but it will not limit their chances to win the premiership, according to Phil Gould.
The club endured an injury crisis just a week out from finals, losing Sam Walker and Brandon Smith to season-ending ACL injuries while Victor Radley suffered a shoulder fracture.
In the NRL’s history, no club has won the grand final without their first-choice halfback.
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But Gould believes the Roosters have the ability to be the first, given the depth of the club’s roster.
“It was a bad one. Certainly was a bad one… particularly to happen at this stage of the season to such key players,” Gould said on Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles with Gus.
“(Losing) your hooker and your halfback, that can be devastating. Having said that, their roster is deep in talent.
“They’ve got replacements and they’ve got so many talented players in other positions.
“Maybe on the weekend they didn’t quite recover because it happened on the day and they hadn’t trained for that drama.
“They did play a side that was really up for the occasion and defended really well.”
Gould urged Robinson’s men to “walk towards the challenge” that faces them, being South Sydney, to ensure the lingering injury concerns do not flood the team’s mindset.
“It’s no good fearing injury,” he said.
“You’ve got to walk towards your fears at this time of year. You’ve got to walk towards the challenge.
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“Backing away from it and naming a team of kids while you sink off in the shadows trying to cobble together a combination (is ineffective).
“I think you have to put it out there under the spotlight. Playing against South Sydney is better than anything they can manipulate at training.
“Whatever happens out of the game, they will be far better prepared than they would be if they ran away from it and feared getting hurt.
“I don’t think you can do that on the training paddock at this time of year.”
The Canterbury general manager praised the team Robinson named on Tuesday, declaring it is still in contention to go deep in the finals.
“There is nothing wrong with that team,” Gould said.
“You can win with that team. That’s a very, very good team. Don’t look at what’s out, look at what’s in.
“Luke Keary will obviously be the lead there. Sandon Smith gets the opportunity in the 7 jersey, which he is born to do.”