Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson revealed he plans to get Joseph Suaalii "closer to the action" ahead of his highly-coveted NRL debut, but it likely won't come this weekend.<\/p>\n
Suaalii's path to top-flight football was cleared this week after some last-minute paperwork was rubber-stamped by the NRL on Tuesday. Adding to the anticipation, was Suaalii's name among Robinson's 21-man squad announced on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Amid the club's devastating injury crisis, there was speculation that the teen sensation could have seen himself slip into the 17, with Robinson scraping to stitch together a fit match-day squad by Sunday.<\/p>\n
But speaking on Wide World of Sports Radio, the coach revealed that Suaalii would likely have to wait at least one more week before he's unleashed on the NRL.<\/p>\n
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"Most likely not," Robinson replied when asked if fans could expect to see Suaalii.<\/p>\n
"He'll be in the 21, I want to give him some of that experience. But we're pretty good in the outside backs at the moment."<\/p>\n
However, the coach revealed a debut may be closer than fans think, with Robinson eager to prime the youngster as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
"But, I do want to get him closer to the action," he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
"Norths (Roosters feeder club) don't play this weekend for us, so I want to give him that experience of an NRL game day."<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, the Tricolours will also be blooding highly-touted halfback Sam Walker who will slot in beside Drew Hutchison in lieu of the injured Luke Keary and Lachlan Lam<\/p>\n
"We're excited to get young Sammy in there and Drew has played enough games with us now to know what's needed, so we're looking forward to getting them out there," He said.<\/p>\n
"We've just had it (injuries) in specific areas, in No.9, 7 and 6. We've had quite a few numbers in there in training and now it' all disappeared.<\/p>\n
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"It's really unfortunate for us but that's footy. That's the way life goes."<\/p>\n
The Roosters will clash with the Warriors on Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n
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