Anthony Minichiello makes a break for the Roosters. Digital Image by Renee McKay © Action Photographics.
The Hayne plane looks set to take flight once again on Saturday night when the Eels take on the Roosters at Parramatta Stadium, but turbulence could hit from round 22 onwards.
The Roosters beat Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Monday night 34 – 30, but backing up to play on a Saturday night has been a problem for the Bondi boys this season.
They’ve had the short turn around twice in 2010, and lost them both.
In fact, the only time they haven’t tasted defeat after playing Monday night football, was in round 15, when they had the bye.
In round 9, the Chooks came up short against North Queensland on a Monday night at the Sydney Football Stadium. They followed that up with a 34 to 18 loss to Newcastle in Gosford on a Saturday night.
In round 12, they backed up from a 30 to 16 win over the Titans at Skilled Park on a Monday night, with a shock 42 to 18 loss to Cronulla at home.
It was the first time the Sharks had scored more than 30 points in season 2010, something they haven’t managed to do since.
That’s 76 points conceded by the Roosters in two outings on a Saturday night when they’ve had four days between matches.
See a pattern developing?
The Roosters left Brisbane on Tuesday, and after landing mid morning, the rest of the day was spent doing a recovery session.
Parramatta, in contrast, got a full day to complete a proper training session.
Just how vital that will be remains to be seen.
It’s clear the Roosters’ attack is starting to click, with Todd Carney in great form, but coach Brian Smith will no doubt have some sleepless nights this week when thinking of how to stop Hayne.
The Roosters led 28 to 6 against the Broncos, yet found themselves trailing 30 to 28 in the dying stages.
If the same lethargy is present at any stage during the match on Saturday night it could turn ugly.
Hayne, who ripped the Bulldogs apart at ANZ Stadium on Friday night, isn’t the only one in form either.
Five-eighth Jeff Robson has had a steadying influence on the team, something that the club hopes will be of value to talented halfback Daniel Mortimer.
Justin Horo, Fui Fui Moi Moi, Krisnan Inu and Timana Tahu also looked dangerous.
Now as for the aforementioned turbulence – 2 competition points from round 22 onwards could be hard to come by.
Every week until the end of the season the Eels take on a team higher than them on the ladder.
After the Roosters they face the Gold Coast and Brisbane away, the Tigers at home, Souths away and end the season at home against the Warriors.
The Eels are currently in 10th place on the ladder on 22 points, the same tally as the eighth placed Rabbitohs.
If Parramatta is to repeat last year’s remarkable run to the finals, it would be unwise and unrealistic to expect Hayne to continue to shoulder a major share of the team’s responsibility in what the NRL calls the ‘glory bound rounds’.
He’s only 22 years old, a fact we as fans and journalists often forget when he doesn’t perform.
Hayne needs the assistance of the older heads around him over the next six weeks, otherwise the Hayne plane could be parked in the hangar when the finals hit.
You can follow Luke on twitter @luke_doherty and on Sky News Australia.
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