Manu out as Roosters dealt another blow for do-or-die clash with Souths

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Roosters coach Trent Robinson says Joseph Manu will not play in the team’s do-or-die final-round clash with South Sydney after picking up a hamstring injury in last week’s clash against the Tigers.

It’s a massive blow for the Bondi club, who have to win Friday night’s game to make the finals, and are already without enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who copped a seven-match ban at the judiciary this week.

Robinson said the club were hopeful earlier in the week that Manu would be cleared to play, but the call was made on Wednesday.

“He ran the other day, but I don’t think he’ll get there, it’s too short,” Robinson said.

“I was probably concerned after the game. As soon as you come off with a hammy injury it’s unlikely you’re going to get through and get into the game there. So yeah, he won’t play.”

“I like the fact that the medical staff [said] there’s a small percentage chance … they said ‘look, name him, we’ll do what we can to see if we can get him through’. But not enough to get through to the game.”

Joseph Manu picked up a hamstring injury against the Tigers last week.Credit: Getty

With Manu out, Corey Allan will start in the centres alongside Billy Smith.

In a win for the club, skipper James Tedesco comes back into the side after sitting out last week’s game due to the NRL’s 11-day stand-down protocols around concussion.

It’s the biggest clash of the year for both teams with a top-eight spot on the line, but Robinson said it doesn’t matter which team is standing on the other side of the pitch.

“They’re all big, they’re always big. I think the context around it makes it really exciting. Winner-takes-all there is pretty clear,” Robinson said.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson.Credit: Getty

“We could be playing Camden Rams this week for a spot in the finals, and it wouldn’t make any difference as far as opposition.

“The prize has been pretty clear for us for a month that we needed to keep winning and whoever was in front of us we needed to play our best footy and keep improving and win games. There’s no difference tomorrow night, it just happens to be a great story and rivalry.”

Robinson said the loss of Waerea-Hargreaves was frustrating with the season on the line.

“As expected, [I’m] disappointed in what happened and obviously the result on Tuesday night doubled down on that, and it’s a disappointing way for him to finish the season and the impact on our club hasn’t been great,” he said.

“I think it’s only natural to be that way [angry about it]. That doesn’t change the way I think about him or the care I have for him, but of course, you’re angry because you represent the club, and we’re all fighting for something, and for him not to be there to be a part of that is disappointing.”

With a win the team’s only option, Robinson brushed any suggestion his players needed to be cautious of their on-field behaviour so as not to pick up any further suspensions.

“There’s no risk. There’s only reward. That’s all there is this week. That’s the belief in what we can do tomorrow night, the belief in the reward about what’s coming is that it’s all upside,” Robinson said.

“That’s the way that you view it. There’s no holding back as far as the way that you want to play. The reward is sitting right there.”

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