NRL Thursday LIVE: Trent Robinson Acknowledges Roosters’ Trial Worries; De La Salle Va’a Hospitalised Due to ‘Unknown Illness’

Throughout his career, Victor Radley has established himself as one of the premier locks in the league.

However, last year marked a shift for him into the second row, and this season sees no change, with the England representative set to don jersey number 12 against the Broncos.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson elaborated that the decision was to ensure a seasoned player is present for the full 80 minutes of the match.

“It’s simply about maximising the time we get from a leader, and he definitely strengthens our right edge, which is a key area for us,” Robinson told the media.

“He’s vital to our game plan. This year, he has stepped into a more prominent leadership role, and having him on the field for the full 80 minutes is crucial.”

While Radley brings toughness to the edge, his position change means the Roosters will miss out on his playmaking abilities in the middle of the field.

Robinson remains unperturbed by this adjustment.

“We do lose some of that, but we’ve also got Siua Wong and Blake Steep, who are both progressing well into those roles,” he mentioned.