The Sydney Roosters have been dealt a major blow ahead of the start of the 2021 NRL season, with star fullback James Crichton ruled out of the first two games due to injury.
Crichton, who was signed from the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the off-season, suffered a hamstring injury in training and will be sidelined for at least the first two rounds of the season.
The news is a huge setback for the Roosters, who were hoping to have Crichton in their starting lineup to help them get off to a strong start.
The 22-year-old fullback was expected to be a key part of the Roosters’ attack this season, and his absence will leave a big hole in the team’s backline.
In his absence, the Roosters will have to look to other players to fill the void. Veteran fullback Brett Morris is likely to be the man to step into the breach, while young gun Matt Ikuvalu is also an option.
The Roosters will be hoping that Crichton can make a swift recovery and be back in action as soon as possible. In the meantime, they will have to make do without their new recruit for at least the first two rounds of the season.
