Manly players are backing 20-year-old rookie Peta Hiku to keep their premiership fire burning should star fullback Brett Stewart be unable to make it back from injury.
The Sea Eagles went down 4-0 to the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night, meaning they’ll need to back up on Friday in an elimination final against Cronulla.
But what’s more sobering than the hard-fought loss, is speculation Stewart may have played his last game for the season.
The 28-year-old has just six days to recover from the ongoing hamstring problem that forced his scratching from the qualifying final against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
Asked about Stewart’s chances, coach Geoff Toovey was far from bullish.
“It’s one of those things. We’ll have to wait and assess him later in the week,” Toovey said.
Stewart has as much big-match experience as any Sea Eagle and his ability to find the line under pressure was sorely missed as the boys from the peninsula went scoreless against the Roosters.
Manly prop Brenton Lawrence admits Stewart could be the “difference” in the big matches to come, but doesn’t believe hopes live and die with their No.1.
Substitute Hiku, who debuted in round six, was arguably Manly’s best on Saturday night, covering an incredible 297 metres from 26 runs with zero errors – numbers rarely seen at NRL level.
Lawrence says Hiku has the full support of teammates should Stewart fail to recover in time to face the Sharks or any other opposition that might be to come.
“Brett’s such a great player he can be the difference in games. But that’s not to say without him we’re no good,” Lawrence said.
“He’s someone in your armoury you want to have. But you can’t be thinking about these things that are out of your control.
“Pet’s done some great things. He’s just getting better and better and I’m excited about what he might be able to do in the years to come. He doesn’t seem to feel pressure.”
Pundits described Saturday’s absorbing clashes the most physical encounter of the season, but Lawrence says it was no more intense than regular matches against the Roosters and South Sydney.
He believes losing big matches to the top teams earlier in the year has Manly well prepared to bounce back against the Sharks.
“Mentally you need to get rid of it and physically we need to get into the ice baths and just make sure we’re ready to go,” he said.
Toovey expects prop Richie Fa’aoso to recover from concussion and face Cronulla.