Roosters rue Radley injury ahead of Panthers clash

The Sydney Roosters are bracing for life without Victor Radley as they prepare to test their improved form against the best in the NRL.

The lock limped off with an ankle injury on Sunday night in Brisbane that will require scans and likely some time on the sidelines in a blow to his State of Origin hopes.

Trent Robinson’s men held firm in a 31-24 defeat of Parramatta without Radley, defying Mitchell Moses’s best efforts in a second-half comeback at Suncorp Stadium.

It was back-to-back wins for the Roosters (6-4), who move into fourth on points differential ahead of Saturday’s clash with Penrith.

“Victor doesn’t usually report injuries at all, medical staff have to pry it out of him,” Robinson said.

“So when Rads was limping like that it looks like a few weeks.”

Robinson lauded 18-year-old winger Joseph Suaalii’s two-try, 16 hit-up effort in a win the Roosters had to earn.

“It was really tough; we worked hard to get that lead and had them camped on our goal line to finish the first half,” he said.

“There was a momentum shift there and they kept turning up and found a way to claw it back and win the game.”

Top-of-the-table Penrith await, with Roosters captain James Tedesco wary after the Panthers’ 32-6 romp over Melbourne on Saturday.

“I watched the game last night, they looked really good and have been the benchmark for a couple of years,” the fullback said.

“They’re a top team and so are Parra; we’ve got a tough road ahead the next few weeks.

“But tonight was a good challenge for us and we played really well.”