It was six weeks ago when Luke Keary’s head might’ve been spinning over the possibility of making his State of Origin debut for NSW.
Now the Sydney Roosters star will be hoping his head simply stays straight when he makes his anticipated return in Friday’s NRL clash with Wests Tigers.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson on Thursday declared Keary a certain starter in a comeback from what was his third concussion in almost 18 months.
“He’s ready to go … he messaged me on Saturday morning after the (round 15) game and he’s ready to rock and roll tomorrow,” Robinson said.
Keary’s return comes in the same week it emerged three law firms are planning to launch class actions against the NRL over its handling of concussion.
While the 27-year-old is believed to have been cleared immediately after his most recent head knock in round 11, the club was conservative in his recovery.
“He’s been ready for quite a few weeks. He’s been running around at training doing everything,” Robinson said.
“The protocol was definitely right.
“There’s been a lot spoken about it in the new day and age of information that we have. And the six weeks has been right and he’s ready to go.”
Keary’s inclusion is a huge boost for a Roosters side who have dropped four of their past five, including last week’s grand final rematch against Melbourne.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves returns from suspension, however skipper Boyd Cordner and James Tedesco are on Origin duty.
Sio Siua Taukeiaho will miss the game due to concussion.
The Roosters, who sit third, travel to Bankwest Stadium to take on a Tigers side occupying ninth and gunning for a third straight win for the first time this season.
Skipper Moses Mbye, who is with Queensland, is their only out, and has been replaced by former Roosters centre Paul Momirovski.
The Roosters pummelled the Tigers 42-12 earlier this year following a memorable effort from Latrell Mitchell, who recorded a hat-trick.
Mitchell also carried the ball for 194 metres and had two try assists, while his 26-point individual haul was the Roosters’ first of that number since Michael Eden in 1983.
STATS THAT MATTER
* The Roosters have won 16 of their past 18 against the Tigers since 2010 – the best percentage of any team against any opponent in that period.
* The Tigers are aiming to win back-to-back home games against the Roosters for the first time in 13 years, having lost five straight before last year’s two-point victory.
* The Tigers are aiming to avoid being held to 20 points or less for what would be a club record 13th successive game against an opponent.
