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Robinson coy on Roosters' NRL final halves

3 minute read

Sam Walker is expected to return to the Sydney Roosters halves for the NRL finals, but coach Trent Robinson has kept his cards close to his chest on selection.

TRENT ROBINSON.
TRENT ROBINSON. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Trent Robinson will keep his cards close to his chest on how he plans to play his halves in the NRL finals, including the use of teen sensation Sam Walker.

Walker came off the bench for the second time in three weeks in the Sydney Roosters' 40-16 win against Canberra, with the 19-year-old largely left on ice and playing just six minutes.

Drew Hutchison will almost certainly start at five-eighth, after featuring there for the back half of the year and playing his best game of the season in Thursday night's win as he set up three tries.

Walker is favourite to fill the No.7 jersey after dazzling at times in his rookie year, but Robinson has regularly indicated his desire to keep opponents guessing.

His replacement Lachlan Lam also impressed against Canberra and could be an option if Robinson wants to use Walker as a spark off the bench and protect him defensively from the early exchanges.

"He (Walker) is going to have a big impact," Robinson said.

"Just the way the game went tonight I thought Lachy was doing a good job there. There are different ways I can use Locky as well.

"It's a bit of wait and see to see how I use Sammy. But Sammy is going to play a part that is for sure. "

The injury-ravaged Roosters have been forced to juggle the trio of Walker, Hutchison and Lam ever since Luke Keary suffered a season-ending ACL tear in March.

Walker and Hutchison have been by far the most successful, with a 9-4 record together when starting in the halves.

Lam and Walker meanwhile are 2-2 starting together, while Lam and Hutchison are 2-0 with wins over St George Illawarra and then Canberra.

"The way Drew and Lachy played tonight, they searched for the ball, they touched the ball a lot, they passed the ball, they kicked the ball, they had control of our team," Robinson said.

"It was a really class performance for them. And they deserved it, they have been working really hard to improve their game.

"Drewy really knew when to go. Sometimes we got joy out of kicking, but then he knew when to run as well.

"I love the guys that play the balance between passing the ball but also knowing the picture in front of them and running the ball like that."

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