The Sydney Roosters are set to name Joey Manu for Friday night’s do-or-die showdown against South Sydney after scans cleared the star centre of serious injury.
In a potentially huge boost for the Roosters, Manu is rated a 50-50 chance of playing in the grudge match at Accor Stadium that could decide the final spot in the eight.
Manu on Sunday morning had scans on the hamstring injury that limited him to just 23 minutes against the Tigers on Saturday, with results showing a minor low-grade strain.
It was feared his season might be over, but the club is now optimistic the strike centre is a chance of backing up.
A six-day turnaround adds to the difficulty of the assignment for Manu. However, with the club’s season on the line, the Roosters are preparing to run the gauntlet.
Manu missed the club’s elimination final against South Sydney last year with a calf injury he suffered the previous week, also against the Rabbitohs at the opening of Allianz Stadium.
Joseph Manu is a chance of playing this week.Credit: Getty
With prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves to miss the game through suspension, the Roosters will be buoyed further by the return of skipper James Tedesco, who was forced to sit out the match against the Tigers under the NRL’s mandatory 11-day concussion protocols.
The big question will be whether the Tricolours roll the dice with Manu. They were faced with a similar conundrum in last year’s elimination final against South Sydney with Daniel Tupou.
The Roosters opted to play the winger despite going into the game with a groin injury and he failed to finish the match.
The Roosters will have a contingency plan in place if Manu plays this Friday. It’s likely boom rookie Siua Wong, who covered in the centres when Manu left the field against the Tigers, will be on standby.
The Roosters will have the added bonus of having Angus Crichton, who was a late withdrawal on Saturday, back in action for the clash against his old club.
Stream the NRL Premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now.
