Sydney Roosters shocking 48-4 loss to the Penrith Panthers has been compounded by a number of injury concerns that hit the club in a physical clash.
Prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves left the field after 16 minutes, suffering a pectoral injury and failed to return to the field.
Five-eighth Joey Manu was also removed from the ground in the 54th minute when he went down with an ankle injury.
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To add on to the half’s setback, it was revealed before the match that dropped youngster Sam Walker is suffering from a knee injury which led to him being withdrawn from NSW Cup before the NRL match.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson confirmed in the press conference Walker could be available after the bye round when his side plays the Bulldogs on June 4.
Nine’s sideline reporter Danika Mason explained Manu suffered ligament damage to his ankle and will be sent for scans.
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The Roosters never looked like they were in with a chance against the Panthers with the latter leading 24-0 at half-time.
Penrith’s pile-on continued when they scored another four tries in the second half with Roosters winger Corey Allan scoring the only points for his side in a 48-4 flogging.
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Lock Victor Radley was scathing of his side’s performance post-game.
“Really disappointing mate, I’ve been involved in a couple of games like this and yeah it’s not good, it’s a horrible feeling,” he told Nine’s coverage.
The Roosters enforcer added Robinson’s message at half-time – where the coach removed all support staff from the dressing room – was about one major concern.
“All effort, it’s just disgusting really, that first half, players stopped moving … me included,” he said.
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Captain James Tedesco was equally as disappointed in the press conference.
“It was really hard to be captain and to serve that up was embarrassing, we’ve got a lot to learn from,” he said.
“We pride ourselves on that (effort) at the Roosters, working hard for each other, and just last few weeks it hasn’t been there.”
Premiership winner Jonathan Thurston believes the Roosters couldn’t have got themselves off to a worse start when they came up with an error not long after the kick off.
“First set of the game Victor Radley throws a short ball to Angus Crichton, they drop it, they just put themselves under the pump straight away,” he said on Nine’s post-game coverage.
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“You can’t do that against any side let alone the Panthers.”
While the Roosters were disappointing, Jarome Luai was scintillating for Penrith, claiming two try assists and a try to remind NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler who the incumbent is for the five-eighth jersey.
Tyrone Peachey also had one of his best games since returning to the reigning premiers, scoring a double while second-rower Scott Sorensen also claimed two.
Penrith will play the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium next Thursday in round twelve while the Roosters are up against the Dragons on Friday at Jubilee Stadium.
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