Billy Slater suggests Roosters should ‘shake things up’ before their elimination final against Manly
After the Roosters were pumped by the Panthers on Friday night, Trent Robinson faces arguably his most difficult team selection of the system and Billy Slater has urged him to make some significant changes.
Young halfback Sandon Smith is under pressure to hold his spot after a shaky performance against the Panthers and Slater believes a move should be made, arguing for Joey Manu to shift to five-eighth so Luke Keary can take the keys.
Smith came under scrutiny for his performance in the 20-point loss to Penrith, having been brought into the halves following Sam Walker’s season-ending knee injury.
Smith has spoken to media since the qualifying final and said coach Trent Robinson had already assured him he would be the halfback for the clash against Manly. But several voices in the game have urged Robinson to make changes to their team to keep the Roosters’ season alive, including Slater.
The Tricolours have Jared Warea Hargreaves and Victor Radley available for selection this week and that should be the catalyst for a reshuffle, he says.
“If Radley comes back in I would be tempted to play him in the middle of the field, put Joey Manu at six and move Luke Keary to halfback,” the Queensland coach said on Nine’s The Billy Slater Podcast.
“I’d be using Sandon Smith off the bench in a dummy-half role. I think they need to shake things up – it’s desperate times for the Roosters.
“Wayne Bennett did it a couple of weeks ago and got a reaction from his team and they beat the Broncos in great fashion. I think the Roosters can make some positional changes and try something different.”
Robinson told media last week before the Panthers match: “I don’t think I have wavered at all on Sandon.
“Right back when Luke (Keary) made his decision maybe five months ago I have been very clear with Sandon about his role in the team and his development and it wasn’t even a question about the belief I have in him and his role he is going to play.
“He is ready.”
The Roosters have only won two of their past eight finals games and will face a Manly team who has given up 118 points in their last four matches.
The last time they played in the finals was in 2021 when Manly smashed the Roosters 42-6 in front of 5,800 fans in Mackay during the COVID-19 affected season.
This year the teams sit 1-1 in the head to head. Manly defeated the Roosters 21-14 in round two but Robinson’s men won 34-30 at Allianz in Round 21.