Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson is convinced rookie utility Hugo Savala can handle the heat of NRL finals action, but it could be a temporary solution with star halfback Sam Walker already back running.
Walker had ankle surgery on August 30 after suffering a syndesmosis injury in the round 26 clash with the Dolphins a day earlier, and has made a remarkable recovery.
Robinson wouldn't be drawn on whether Walker could feature in a preliminary final should the Roosters beat Penrith in Sunday's qualifying final at Commbank Stadium, but neither did he rule out the possibility.
"He's recovered probably quicker than I've seen most syndesmosis injuries and he's back moving in a straight line in a pretty good way which is really pleasing," Robinson said.
'"He's on a good track to progress over the next couple of weeks."
Utility Savala has appeared in 19 games this season, lining up in the centres for the vast majority, though Robinson stressed the 24-year-old was well-equipped to wear the No.6 jersey.
Savala played in the halves as a junior while he started there in all but three of his 21 matches in 2025.
"You lose a player in that position, you've got to bring someone up from reserve grade, or they haven't been playing, whereas Hugo has been able to play in other positions, that means he's already in tune with the energy of the group and the combinations there," Robinson said.
"He's only moved in one position from where he has been playing, obviously a pretty critical link role there, but he's also played over a decade of that position growing up.
"It was just about re-establishing those connections in a slightly different position, but he brings intensity and an energy to our group as well, that we've seen at centre, but looking forward to it at six.
Penrith prevailed in four of the last five finals clashes against the Roosters, though the latter won a 12-6 defensive slugfest in their most recent meeting last month.
Robinson declared his side 'ready to go" for the finals despite losing their last three games, with plenty of big names returning after being rested from last week's clash with South Sydney.
Sam Walker has returned to running on field - just 12 days post syndesmosis tightrope surgery.
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 11, 2026
Walker is reportedly hoping to return for a Prelim if the Roosters make it that far, which would be 4 weeks post surgery. A return that quick after syndesmosis surgery has been done… pic.twitter.com/LJtXZfbQBo
"It doesn't matter whether you've won or lost the last three weeks, all that matters is tomorrow," Robinson said.
"You've got to handle whatever emotions or technical or tactical things that you've got to improve, you've got to put that in to a place early on in the week and then you have the belief about how you're going to play tomorrow."
Forward Angus Crichton was named on the interchange bench earlier in the week after missing 11 games with a foot injury, but Robinson said he wasn't ready to play.
