Tedesco cleared to play in Roosters' final trial
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Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has confirmed James Tedesco will be fit to play in next week’s final trial against the Manly Sea Eagles in Gosford.
Robinson was coy on the details over the fitness of Tedesco, who has been quarantined after picking up a case of the mumps last week, but admitted the superstar recruit would take his place in the match on the Central Coast.
The coach admitted he didn’t want his players overused in the pre-season trials but believes it’s important to get some minutes into his troops before their opening-round clash against the Wests Tigers.
“I think we go 15 rounds without a bye so it’s very different to last year when you had the rep round,” Robinson said after his under strength side’s loss to the Panthers on Saturday night.
“You don’t want to play three trials – and no one is – but you don’t want to play three games going in.
"You want to get half a game now and a game next week. Or the guys who played a lot in the World Cup get a game next week. The combinations at training are the crucial ones because they are the ones you see.
"But you want to have a run before the comp starts. That’s what we want to see next week.”
While Tedesco and Cooper Cronk are expected to make their club debuts next week, the fitness of five-eighth Luke Keary remains uncertain.
Keary suffered a broken jaw at training earlier in the month and could be available for selection next week. However Robinson said he won’t take any chances.
“We’ll just have to see with Luke,” Robinson said.
“He’s going well. He’s been training. But it’s just getting the all clear … He probably would have missed two or three games. There’s no reason for us to rush him back.
“As far as I know, if you leave a break it lasts six weeks, but if you plate a break it can go down to two or three. It even surprised me on all that. He’s in good shape and training.
"We will just see if we give it an extra two weeks or not. The plate strengthens it enough to play, but the crack is still there behind it.”
