Hutchinson in hospital scare as cursed Roosters fall to Eels

Roosters five-eighth Drew Hutchinson was rushed to hospital with a suspected punctured lung as the club’s catastrophic injury toll deepened, which could pave the way for Joseph Suaalii to make his NRL debut during next week’s Magic Round.

Just a day after the club was plunged into a COVID scare when a Sydney man who tested positive to the virus attended a popular cafe just metres from their headquarters, the Roosters had perhaps their most disturbing night in an absorbing 31-18 loss to the Eels on Friday night.

Drew Hutchison of the Roosters writhes in pain. He was sent to hospital with suspected broken ribs. Credit:Getty

In the same week the club confirmed Brett Morris and Lindsay Collins (both ACL tears) as well as Sam Verrills (detached retina) had suffered significant injuries in the win over the Knights, there was immediate concern for Hutchinson, who was injured in the same play where Marata Niukore was put on report.

Niukore’s shoulder appeared to make contact with the head of a falling James Tedesco. The Australian and NSW No.1 was playing his first match since the Anzac Day clash against the Dragons in which he was concussed by a Jordan Pereira high shot.

Suaalii, who sat on the Roosters’ bench as 18th man, must have thought he was close to making his much-hyped NRL debut and might have if the bunker and referee Matt Cecchin had decided to sin bin Brown.

And in the same week where the NRL warned it would have “minimal tolerance for avoidable contact with the head or neck”, Niukore also stayed on the field for his jarring hit on Tedesco.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard is met by some strong Roosters defence.Credit:Getty

Robinson had hinted for weeks Suaalii was close to making his NRL debut, and he might not have a choice to hold him back against the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium with his squad at breaking point.

Brett Morris’ replacement Matt Ikuvalu scored a hat-trick, passed a head injury assessment, dislocated a finger and spilled a crucial bomb which led to an Eels try as Robinson got a glimpse at life after losing one of the game’s best wingers.

But the Roosters couldn’t reel in a stodgy Parramatta, which monopolised possession in the first half and put the result beyond doubt in the final 10 minutes.

The Eels, too, weren’t without their own injury problems with Reed Mahoney concussed after his head was caught in an awkward position trying to tackle giant winger Daniel Tupou.

A rejuvenated Bryce Cartwright scored with his first touch and finished the opening half with a double as the Eels scrambled to an 18-12 lead at the break after Adam Keighran’s after-the-siren penalty goal. Cartwright was forced to deputise for Mahoney at dummy-half with the Queensland State of Origin contender one player Brad Arthur can ill afford to lose for any length of time.

Robinson had an inspired Tedesco, but his squad resembles a M*A*S*H ward. All Black TJ Perenara is expected to make a decision this week on whether he will make a transformational switch to the NRL. Robinson could do with him tomorrow with the club also sweating on the match review findings after Siosiua Taukeiaho was placed on report.

The Eels had lost their last four against the Roosters, but this was simply a match they just had to win if they are to be a premiership force given their rival’s struggles.

Tom Opacic pounced on an Ikuvalu mistake to pad the lead early in the second half, but Ikuvalu crashed over after Walker threw a trademark spiral on the last tackle to set up a thrilling finish.

But Moses, who has until next week to activate an option in his contract to stay at Parramatta, slotted a one-pointer before Brown’s late try.

PARRAMATTA EELS 31 (Bryce Cartwright 2, Blake Ferguson, Tom Opacic, Dylan Brown tries; Mitchell Moses 4 goals; field goal) defeated SYDNEY ROOSTERS 18 (Matt Ikuvalu 3 tries; Adam Keighran 2, Sam Walker goals) at Bankwest Stadium. Referee: Matt Cecchin.

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