The Roosters’ forwards have been urged to lift their form after they were monstered by the hulking Warriors pack in a shock 42-18 loss in New Zealand.
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While the spotlight was on the brand new halves pairing of Sam Walker and Daly Cherry-Evans in what was the latter’s debut for the club, one former NRL star believes there should be more heat directed at the Roosters’ pack.
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In fairness, the pre-game injury to Spencer Leniu didn’t help, but even so, only one forward (Naufahu Whyte – 169) going over 100 metres isn’t a good look.
The Warriors’ forwards led by James Fisher-Harris and Jackson Ford outgained the Roosters’ pack 819 running metres to 544.
Saturday League Kick Off host and former NRL winger Denan Kemp says it’s an early season concern that has to be addressed.
“It’s actually been something that I’ve thought when looking at the Roosters’ roster heading into the season and that’s questions around the forward pack,” Kemp said.
“Yes, they were without Spencer Leniu but the Warriors were missing Mitch Barnett so it’s not like they weren’t missing someone either.
“That (the forward pack) was actually my key watch for the game going in. Granted, it was more the discipline that cost the Roosters forwards those metres.
“If you look at this forward pack right now, on paper their names have top tier players, but are they in the form of top tier players.
“Whyte is a top tier front rower but Angus Crichton was pretty quiet last year and then you’ve got Radley who is suspended, Nat Butcher is sold but I wouldn’t say he’s a top tier edge forward. You’ve got a young guy in Blake Steep at lock.
“When you actually break their pack down, I don’t think it’s a top four forward pack right now and I think people are getting caught up in some of the names rather than where they’re at form wise.”
Whyte was enormous, amassing his 169 metres from 17 runs as he continues his upward spiral but rep players like Crichton and Lindsay Collins were underwhelming last season.
Expected to step up in Leniu’s absence, Collins ran for just 36 metres in 61 minutes of action.
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