Bennett waits another week on Roberts
JAMES Roberts will have to wait another week to return to the NRL, with South Sydney opting against bringing him back to face the Warriors.
Roberts had been named on an extended bench for tonight’s game, but coach Wayne Bennett said yesterday that the star centre would not return.
Roberts checked himself into a rehabilitation clinic during the coronavirus shutdown and emerged just before the competition restarted.
Bennett has remained strong in his position that he will bring Roberts back only when he is fit and ready.
“I’m just in a situation where I don’t want to risk him right now,” Bennett said yesterday.
“The team would love to have him back, but for him to come back underdone and not play well could mean he would struggle from that point on and open himself up to a lot of criticism.
“But he should be right to play next week.”
The situation is complicated further by the fact that Bennett is unable to bring Roberts back through reserve grade, with no NSW Cup this year.
Winger Campbell Graham has the centre role for Souths tonight, with Alex Johnston remaining on the wing.
Five-eighth Cody Walker will play his 100th NRL game in the clash against the Warriors, after making his return in last week’s win against Gold Coast.
Walker brings up the triplefigure milestone at age 30, after making his NRL debut at 26.
“It’s been a long journey for him to get to 100 games,” Bennett said.
“He reminds you of things that make the game great and things that make people – his determination and not quitting with so many of the things that happened to him on his journey to get here. I’m really proud of him.”