Cooper Cronk has laughed off concerns over his shoulder but Sydney Roosters are still likely to be without hooker Jake Friend for Friday’s NRL finals opener.
Cronk gave Roosters fans a brief scare when he left the field bracing his shoulder when a scrum fell on him late in Thursday night’s loss to South Sydney.
It brought back memories of last year’s dramatic grand final week, where Cronk battled a shoulder injury in the lead-up before his famous performance in the decider.
But the retiring halfback was quick to downplay those comparisons on Monday, insisting he was fine on his return to training after the weekend and in no doubt for Friday’s return bout with the Rabbitohs.
“I was absolutely fine, just a bit of a crusher on the neck and the body was a bit stiff,’ Cronk said.
“There was a bit of hysteria around that (comparisons to last year) but it was absolutely nothing, I will be ready.”
The same certainty can’t however be given around the Roosters’ middle ahead of the qualifying final at the SCG.
Friend is considered unlikely to overcome an infection suffered from his fractured arm, having run out in just four games this season.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will front the judiciary on Tuesday night in a bid to play, as he aims to beat a high tackle charge.
Prop Sio Siua Taukeiaho is at least expected to beat a rib injury, while utility Mitchell Aubusson and winger Brett Morris will both feature after being rested with niggles last week.
“It’s obviously nervous times for Jared,” captain Boyd Cordner said.
“But at the same time I think he should be pretty confident in fighting that charge. Whatever happens whether he is playing or he isn’t, we’ll be okay and right to go.
“Friendy is doing his best. Knowing him he will be doing everything he can to be right. But probably not this game to be honest.”
The Roosters enter the finals as title favourites and in the box seat to be the first team since Brisbane in 1992 and 1993 to win back-to-back titles in a unified competition.
The Tri-colours though have gone at lengths to point out this year’s challenge is far different to last year’s.
They enter the finals with seven wins in their past eight matches, but have done so through the adversity of several injuries over the past two months.
“We’re on a different journey that’s for sure,” Cordner said at Monday’s NRL finals launch.
“It hasn’t been the same year as last year.
“Our motivation is still the same, that’s for sure. We’re still hungry and working to be better than what we were last week.
“We’re not happy with where we’re at, we still think there is improvement in us.”
