Sydney Roosters fans may have to wait a little longer to see Sonny Bill Williams make NRL comeback as the club are “concerned” about his health.
It was widely expected that Williams would bring his NRL back for the Roosters’ Grand Final rematch against the Canberra Raiders on Saturday, but he was unable to train on Monday.
While Williams’ absence was blamed on an alternate training program by the Roosters, Nine’s NRL reporter Danny Weidler announced that the club has “a few minor concerns” about the health of its star recruit.
I’m talking about nine 100% footyWeidler gave an insight into Williams’ current comeback attempt.
“Everything was on track by the end of last week,” he said.
“I think Sonny Bill trained some really tough sessions, he didn’t show up at Roosters practice today and that’s a bit worrying in my eyes.
“Sonny Bill has had a six-month layoff, surgery, and hasty preparation, and it is probably a little worrying not to attend a meeting on the first day leading up to his second leg.
“We know he has struggled with a knee injury in the past and he has for years and has done it.
“I’ll be very interested to see if he shows up for a few more workouts during the week.
“I think he has doubts. I know there are a few small concerns about him.”
Weidler’s comments were followed by Shark’s great Paul Gallen, who urged the Roosters to think about the bigger picture and not bring Williams back into the line-up early.
“At his age, going through what he’s been through and then sitting in a hotel room for two weeks and then expecting him to go out and play, I know he won’t play big minutes, but it’s a big question ,” he said 100% footy.
“You didn’t bring him back to play Canberra in Round 17. You brought him back to win a Premier League.”
“He’s 35 years old now, that has to be remembered. The Roosters brought him back to win the competition so it wouldn’t surprise me if he doesn’t play this week.”
With both the Raiders and Roosters vying for a top 4 place, Gallen suggested that a top 4 team could win the Premier League even after losing in the first week of the final.
“The thing to remember is if (the roosters) finish fourth, they have to play the Panthers in the first week of the semi-finals,” he said.
“One of them is going to lose, and if either of those two wins, they have to win four games to win the grand final.”
“I think this year can be the year someone can come, not from outside the top four, but lose in the first week and then play all four games.
“I think having Sonny fresh and ready for the semi-final series is the way to go.”
