Rugby league legend Cooper Cronk has responded to a report claiming the household of Sam Walker imagine he’s ‘hamstrung’ by the type of the Roosters’ assault.
Eyebrows had been raised earlier this week when Roosters coach Trent Robinson made the shock name to drop Walker to order grade.
The 20-year-old has performed 52 NRL video games since making his debut in 2021 — 48 of these beginning at both five-eighth or halfback.
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But after a clunky begin to 2023, Walker has been despatched again to the Roosters’ reserves to work on his recreation with Joseph Manu to associate Luke Keary within the halves for the standard Anzac Day conflict with the Dragons.
Following Robinson’s choice, The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Wednesday that “a difference in opinion” over the how the Roosters ought to assault “has led to tension” between the household of Walker and the membership’s teaching employees.
The report claims that the younger playmaker’s household is anxious about how a lot enter Cronk has on the type of soccer Walker is predicted to play.
Cronk — a four-time premiership-winner and five-time Dally M Halfback of the Year — is understood for being one of many all-time nice structured halfbacks.
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He works intently with the Roosters’ attacking gamers and extra particularly, Keary and Walker.
Meanwhile, Walker — the 2021 Dally M Rookie of the Year — has made a reputation for himself within the NRL as an informal type of half.
Cronk was requested concerning the claims throughout Fox League’s pre-game protection on Thursday.
“Is this the time I can get off the stage and get away from this question,” he smiled earlier than throwing his help behind Walker to return to first grade.
“I understand it’s a huge talking point and you need to ask those questions no doubt and you should grill me.
“But the thing about this situation is, I feel like I should defend myself and my position, but it’s not about me — it’s about Sam.
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“I think he’s the most important part in all of this and my job is to help Sam to be the best version of himself — both on and off the field.
“My job is to do that and I’ll do that as long as I can. I’ll give every little bit of energy I can to that. I don’t think it’s about me, this is about Sam and he’ll be back.
“There is room for Sam in every team, in any structure, any play.
“The kid can play and if he puts a couple of things together he’ll be a very dominant half in this competition for a long, long time.”
Walker has inherited his free-flowing type from his father Ben and uncle Shane, who each performed for the Broncos earlier than co-coaching the Ipswich Jets to their maiden Queensland Cup premiership in 2015.
Queensland legend Gorden Tallis was requested for his response to the claims from the Walker household.
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He believes it’s doubtless put Walker in a “difficult position” with the Roosters.
“I think they wish that they probably didn’t say (it),” Tallis advised Fox League.
“I was pretty lucky, my dad stayed out of my career. Ben’s been a player, Ben’s been a coach and when he coached, I’m not sure he’d like those headlines about his coaching style as well.
“So I think it puts Sam in a difficult position and the coach is always right. The style that suits the team… If he were James Tedesco I would understand, but he’s not James Tedesco.
So I think there’s bigger players at the club where it’s their team and you slot in until you become that man — you don’t just get the team given to you… I think you’ve got to wait your time.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au