It was confirmed that Sydney Roosters Boyd Cordner will need another week to rest due to his calf injury sustained last season.
Because of his injury, Cordner missed the trial games of the squad as well as the World Club Challenge in February. He was also ruled out of the squad for the first two rounds of the season to play against Manly Warringah Giants on Saturday.
Boyd endured his injury last season playing 19 games as the Roosters pushed for a back-to-back premiership. Nevertheless, his injury has motivated the club to have a stable approach in this year’s season.
‘The whole thing is to get volume into him now, speed, strength, endurance, so he can carry out what is a long season and a great season for him when you get to play the matches he does’, head coach Trent Robinson said.
‘The performance and medical staff said “let’s put him in the best shape possible to carry out his full-season and so we’re doing that”’, he added.
Cordner usually plays as a second-row and lock of the squad. He is also the captain of the NSW State of Origin team and the co-captain of Easts.
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On the other hand, Angus Crichton will also make his comeback after missing the opening round because of pneumonia. Crichton also cleared that he is tested negative for coronavirus.
Crichton usually plays as a second-row forward of the squad. Before joining Roosters, he also played with South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL and New South Wales in the State of Origin series.
Aside from Crichton, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Josh Dugan was also given an opportunity to make his season debut against Melbourne Storm on March 21 at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Sydney. With Dugan joining the team, Bronson Xerri has been ruled out of the squad.
Dugan is a fullback and centre of the squad. In addition, he has also played for Canberra Raiders and St George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL.
The Brisbane Broncos has also named Ethan Bullemor to make his debut against the Roosters replacing Tevita Pangai Junior due to a four-week suspension. The Broncos has also ruled out Alex Glenn, Matt Lodge, and Joe Ofahengaue moving Jamil Hopoate into the second row.