Connor Watson will learn by Friday whether an independent concussion consultant will clear him to play for the Sydney Roosters in Sunday’s NRL grand final against Newcastle.
The utility underwent specialist testing on Thursday morning and was due to have further examinations later that day. The Roosters are hoping he can be cleared in time for their main training session.
Watson spent only a minute on the field against the Dolphins last Friday before suffering a concussion. He was initially assessed as displaying category-two symptoms, but the grading was later upgraded to a category-one concussion.
That classification triggered an automatic 11-day stand-down from training and matches under the NRL’s concussion protocols, appearing to end his hopes of featuring in the decider. The Roosters subsequently asked for the grading to be reviewed in the hope it could be changed to category two, which would remove the mandatory rest period.
One of Australia’s leading neurologists, Mark Parsons, warned earlier in the week that he would be surprised if an independent neurologist cleared Watson to play.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson said the decision was now in the hands of medical professionals and that the club expected an answer by Friday at the latest.
“It’s out of our hands. We’ll get a ruling on that tonight or tomorrow. He’ll either be in or out. It’s pretty simple from our end,” Robinson said at the team’s grand final press conference in Sydney.
Robinson said Watson’s versatility had made him an important part of the Roosters’ squad throughout the season, but confirmed the team had a contingency plan should he be ruled out.
“Connor, we want him to play, he deserves to play – whether he’s fit to play will get decided by someone else, then we’ll adapt,” Robinson said.
Benaiah Ioelu is the leading option to provide dummy-half cover from the bench if Watson is unavailable. Robinson said Ioelu had brought energy to the side and had played well for the club this year.
Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga, a former team-mate and close friend of Watson, said he would be delighted if the Roosters player was cleared, but stressed that his health had to come first.
“He’s one of the most deserving blokes to be in a grand final,” Ponga said. “If he gets cleared, I’ll be stoked for him. Obviously if he doesn’t, he has to take care of his health first.”
