Roosters’ Spine Assembled as Robson Returns for Penrith Blockbuster
Amidst the off-season buzz surrounding the Sydney Roosters’ acquisition of veteran Queensland Maroons halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, another significant Origin playmaker’s impending arrival at Bondi flew largely under the radar. The initial excitement surrounding Reece Robson’s debut in the iconic red, white, and blue was unfortunately tempered by a pre-season thumb fracture, sidelining the New South Wales hooker and delaying his first outing for a period initially feared to be as long as eight weeks.
However, a remarkably swift recovery has positioned Robson to make his return in Friday night’s highly anticipated clash against the formidable Penrith Panthers. This comes as a welcome boost for coach Trent Robinson, who will finally be able to field his preferred spine combination for the first time this season.
“Daly was obviously quite a big signing, with everything that he’s done in the game, and as we often see, people from north of the border, they don’t get as much hype in Sydney,” Robinson commented on Robson’s transition from the North Queensland Cowboys. “But Reece was really key to how we wanted to develop our game. And so, getting especially the four spine players playing their first game together, it’s really good to get started on that. There will be improvement game-on-game, but to get the four of them together tomorrow is key for how we want to play.”
The Panthers have commenced the season in impressive fashion, securing victories against Brisbane and Cronulla while conceding a mere six points across those matches. With the return of NSW back-rower Liam Martin and the Roosters’ recent history of just one win from their last 12 encounters against Penrith, the Panthers are expected to enter Friday night’s encounter at Allianz Stadium as strong favourites.
Robinson indicated that Robson’s game time would be carefully managed, taking into account his fatigue levels, with the emphasis placed on the quality of his defensive contributions rather than the duration of his on-field presence.
“I will have coverage for that,” Robinson stated. “I don’t have a clear [amount of] time in how much I want him to play. I want to see him play, but I will have options there. The idea is not to last time, it’s to have quality. So I’ll see how long that lasts during the game. But getting him out there, the expectation there is not to do anything in particular other than just getting his defensive work done.”
To provide dummy-half cover, Robinson has named Connor Watson on the bench, with Benaiah Ioelu also available as an interchange option. Penrith’s suffocating defence was on full display in their dominant 26-6 victory over Cronulla last week, and Robinson expressed his anticipation for the challenge of facing a team at what appears to be near peak form.
“Isn’t it wonderful, the challenge of that?” Robinson enthused. “That’s why people should come out, people should have interest and watch that, because a tip of the cap to what they’ve done the first two games. Our job as coaches and players is to nullify that tomorrow and find some creases. To take opportunities.”
Dragons Prop Cleared After Neck Scare
In other news, promising St George Illawarra prop Loko Pasifiki Tonga is on track to potentially return to training as early as Friday, having been cleared of a serious neck injury sustained during a training session on Thursday morning. Pasifiki Tonga, who has already played 10 NRL games since his debut last year, was attended to by paramedics after remaining down following a tackle during a routine drill at WIN Stadium.
Indicating to his teammates and Dragons staff that he had suffered a neck injury while carrying the ball, precautionary measures were swiftly implemented, and an ambulance was called to the club’s Wollongong training base. Fortunately, after undergoing a series of tests, Pasifiki Tonga received the all-clear.
“We’re relieved he’s OK and it’s not a serious injury,” confirmed his manager, Craig Clifton. “He’s fine, there’s no damage, no issues. It was just a precaution. He’ll hopefully be back on the footy field tomorrow and cleared to play on the weekend. He could be playing this weekend, depending on how he pulls up.”
The Dragons released a statement on Thursday confirming that Pasifiki Tonga “has been cleared of any major neck injury concerns and returned to the Dragons training facility this afternoon. He will be monitored by our medical staff over the coming days before a determination is made on his availability to play this weekend.” The 20-year-old is widely regarded as one of the club’s most exciting young forwards but has yet to feature in first-grade action this season. He was listed among St George Illawarra’s extended reserves for Sunday’s match against Parramatta, but further scans and assessment will be conducted.
‘Let Sua be Sua’: Grant Deflects Walsh Comparisons
Melbourne Storm captain Harry Grant has urged caution against drawing comparisons between rising fullback Sua Fa’alogo and the highly-rated Reece Walsh, emphasizing the young flyer’s unique potential. The Storm and Broncos are set to face off for the first time since last year’s NRL grand final, a match where Walsh played a pivotal role in Brisbane’s dramatic comeback victory.
With Ryan Papenhuyzen’s departure at the end of 2025 looming, Fa’alogo has stepped into the starting fullback role and has already made a significant impression in the opening two rounds, including an impressive hat-trick in the Storm’s commanding 46-20 win over St George-Illawarra on Saturday.
“That was Sua’s second full 80-minute performance for the Storm and people are comparing him to Reece Walsh and asking him to do those things,” Grant remarked on Tuesday. “I always find those things hard, I think we should just let Sua be Sua and not have any expectations as he has only played two full games of NRL [at fullback]. Let’s see if he can continue to train well and prepare well and that will give him the best chance to play well.”
While Grant is focused on nurturing Fa’alogo’s development, teammate Tyran Wishart highlighted the young fullback’s rapid progress in the defensive aspects of the game, a key factor in winning over the club’s senior players.
“The big one is in defence. I’m sure he has always been comfortable in what he can do attacking wise but what he has done defensively in the last 12 weeks has been massive,” Wishart stated. “If he can keep building on that, anything is possible for him.” Wishart added that the Storm are committed to placing Fa’alogo in positions where he can break defensive lines and create tries.
“It has taken a lot of people by surprise but not us. We’ve always known what he was capable of and he has shown glimpses with some of the tries he has scored in the last couple of years, some of them have been crazy,” Wishart elaborated. “People might not see what he’s doing for us defensively because of those crazy, highlight tries but he’s working really hard in defence and he’s been doing that the whole preseason.”
Knights Suffer Major Blows: Ponga and Brown Out with Significant Injuries
The Newcastle Knights have been dealt a significant blow with captain Kalyn Ponga ruled out for up to two months due to a high-grade hamstring injury sustained in their victory over Manly on Sunday. Adding to the club’s woes, fellow high-earner Dylan Brown is facing a month on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Scan results for the Knights’ top earners – Ponga is reportedly on a $1.4 million salary, while Brown’s 10-year deal averages around $1.3 million per season – have delivered devastating news for the duo and new coach Justin Holbrook. The Knights have surprised many with upset wins over the Cowboys and Sea Eagles this season, but now face a critical period without Ponga, who had been in scintillating form.
The star custodian is expected to be sidelined for between six and eight weeks, with the club stating this is “dependent on his response to rehabilitation.” A two-month recovery for Ponga could also impact his preparation for Queensland’s State of Origin campaign, with Maroons coach Billy Slater set to select his squad after round 11. Incumbent Kangaroos No.1 Reece Walsh and Dolphins flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who was Queensland’s fullback in Origin III last year, are strong contenders. If Ponga is out for eight weeks, he would have limited opportunity to prove his fitness, with only a May 17 game against the Titans potentially available.
Ponga clutched his right hamstring after scoring a first-half try against Manly and initially attempted to play through the pain before leaving the field. Brown sustained a left knee injury eight minutes later, and scans on Monday confirmed a grade 2 MCL strain. The Kiwi international will miss the next four weeks, resulting in Newcastle being without approximately 23 per cent of their $11.95 million salary cap with both players sidelined. Fletcher Sharpe is set to return from his own knee injury to face the Warriors on Saturday as Brown’s replacement, slotting into the halves alongside utility Sandon Smith. Fletcher Hunt impressed in Ponga’s absence at fullback against Manly and is expected to retain the No.1 jersey.
Following their home game against the Warriors, the Knights face a challenging schedule without their two key attacking players. Matches against Canterbury and the 2025 minor premiers Canberra are on the horizon, followed by a round-six trip to Campbelltown to face the Wests Tigers. A four-week recovery would place Brown in line for a potential round-seven return against the Roosters on Sunday, April 19. Ponga is then anticipated to miss at least the following week’s home game against Penrith and a round 9 clash with South Sydney. Newcastle’s round 12 bye, the first of their season, falls nine weeks after Ponga’s injury and may influence his return date, potentially allowing for an additional fortnight of recovery. The Knights’ injury woes have been further compounded by news that back-rower Brodie Jones will also be sidelined for the next eight weeks due to inflammation from arthritis in his foot. Jones underwent successful surgery last week to remove a bone that was causing him regular pain.
Roosters Implement E-Bike Rules After Billy Smith’s Accident
Sydney Roosters centre Billy Smith has been ruled out of Friday’s clash with South Sydney after sustaining a concussion in an e-bike fall on Thursday. The club and Smith’s teammates expressed disappointment, as the incident not only sidelines him for the South Sydney match but also for the upcoming blockbuster against Penrith due to NRL concussion protocols.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson stated after the 26-18 victory over Souths that Smith was embarrassed and that the club would review the use of e-bikes and scooters around Allianz Stadium. With no allocated parking for players at the Moore Park venue, they are required to park at the nearby Entertainment Quarter and walk over a kilometre along Driver Avenue to reach training, leading to a heavy reliance on personal transport.
“There’ll be discussions around that [use of e-bikes and scooters], but you don’t want to control all parts of life either,” Robinson commented after the game. “People can be individuals, but a little bit better care might help get him [Smith] on the field.” Prop Lindsay Collins, who lost a front tooth in a bike accident as a child, revealed on Sunday that the club has made it clear to all players that helmets must be worn and unnecessary risks avoided.
“It was unfortunate to lose Bill the other night, especially after his game against the Warriors [in round one] – everyone knows how good a player he is,” Collins said. “He’s definitely feeling it now; and he definitely knows he let down the boys. He’ll get his lesson – we’ll all get our lesson from it. The little kid comes out inside you and you can muck around a bit on it. But you need to realise these things are actually dangerous, and you need to be sensible on them. It definitely woke me up. I lost my tooth on a bike when I was a kid. There were no electric bikes back then. I’m a scooter man now. I was a walker for a long time, but I bit the bullet this year, and it has been great [since].”
Winger Mark Nawaqanitawase, who prefers to walk, added: “Nobody is in the good books at the moment with that [use of e-bikes]. It’s been addressed. It was an unfortunate situation. E-bikes are a part of society, they are everywhere, but we need to do the right thing and wear a helmet. Most of the boys wear helmets anyway. There also can’t be any silly business. Just ride normally and get to the ground. That’s what you need to do.” Junior Pauga was a late inclusion at left centre against Souths and will face the challenging task of marking Panthers duo Paul Alamoti and Brian To’o.
