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The Sydney Roosters are preparing for the potential absence of hooker Connor Watson in the NRL Grand Final while awaiting a medical clearance decision from an independent neurologist. Watson is subject to an 11-day mandatory stand-down after his injury was reclassified as a Category 1 concussion. Young player Benaiah Ioelu is being readied as the replacement and has spoken about staying grounded despite the high-pressure situation, relying on the guidance of veteran teammates.
The Roosters are holding on to hope that Connor Watson will be cleared, but grand final heartbreak is real possibility.are holding on to hope that Connor Watson will be cleared to run out on grand final day but will be preparing young gun Benaiah Ioelu for the prospect of playing just his 18thWatson will be meeting with an independent neurologist on Thursday in a last-ditch bid to be approved to take the field for one final time as a Rooster, The NRL’s protocol requires any player diagnosed with a Category 1 concussion, such as Watson’s, to be automatically sidelined for 11 days.
The initial ruling was upgraded to a Category 1 after it was originally treated as a less severe Category 2, which does not require the mandatory stand-down period. Standing ready to replace him is Ioelu, the Roosters academy graduate who made his NRL debut last year and has 17 first grade games to his name.
“It’s hard to put it into words, you always play the image in your mind as a little kid,” Ioelu told AAP. “Being here this week and this moment, you’re just super grateful for the opportunity that you’ve been given. ” Ioelu moved from Auckland to the Tricolours as a teenager, where he became academy housing flatmates with Robert Toia, Salesi Foketi and Siua Wong — who have broken into starting first grade roles over the last couple of seasons.
For Ioelu, he is trying to remain level-headed even with the prospect of becoming the starting hooker for Sunday’s decider.
“Your mind can play a lot of tricks on you, thinking that your role is bigger than what it is,” the 22-year-old said. “But just knowing that your role is still the same, you don’t need to change much, you don’t have to do much if you’re playing with Teddy , Rads , Mark , Toups , let them do their work and your opportunities will come. ”
Connor Watson Benaiah Ioelu Sydney Roosters NRL Grand Final Concussion Protocol
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