The Sydney Roosters are keeping Parramatta second-guessing after Cooper Cronk was ruled out of Friday night’s NRL showdown with a hamstring injury.
Cronk had been expected to return after missing last week’s win over Manly but Roosters coach Trent Robinson said it wasn’t worth rushing his superstar No.7 back.
“I think it was today a week ago (that he was injured) so it was a week injury, so it was pretty tight,” Robinson said on Thursday.
“He’s running well but it’s finishing off that top end and he’ll get that in the next few days – Sunday, Monday.”
While Cronk is now likely to return next Friday night against Brisbane, Robinson refused to name a replacement for his 2018 grand final hero’.
Luke Keary played halfback against Manly, with Latrell Mitchell shifting to five-eighth, Mitch Aubusson starting in the centres and young gun Lachie Lam impressing off the bench.
Robinson will wait until an hour before kick-off at ANZ Stadium before declaring his hand.
“The rules are there in place and I like to keep that to myself, or the team at least,” he said.
“I don’t think we need to give advantages.
“We’ll name our 19 tonight, obviously with the bit where Cooper’s out, but I know it, the team knows it and we’ll see on Friday night.”
While the coach was in a coy mood around selections, he made it crystal clear he had full faith in 20-year-old Lam if he needed to call once again on the former Australian schoolboys star.
The son of former Roosters, Queensland and Australian Test star Adrian Lam, Lachie claimed his first NRL try assist in his 40-minute cameo against the Sea Eagles.
“It’s really good to see a young kid come through your juniors,” Robinson said.
“It was a late change before the game and he came in and everyone was impressed with the kid, Lachie.
“But there were some big defensive plays there as well and I think that was a development in his game, and definitely why he got the opportunity to play last week.”
After a disappointing first-round loss to South Sydney, the premiers shifted up a gear in their 26-18 win last start, especially in keeping Manly scoreless in the first half.
“It was a good jump from week one to week two and I guess that’s the positive and that’s what we expect again tomorrow night,” Robinson said.
THE STATS THAT MATTER
* Parramatta are aiming to win their opening three games of a season for the first time since 1993, and for just the seventh time in their 62-history.
* The Roosters are shooting for five straight wins at ANZ Stadium.
* Roosters attacking ace Latrell Mitchell boasts his best strike rate and equal-highest try tally against the Eels, with six four-pointers, and looms as a danger man again.
