33 replies to this topic

[marklaspalmas]

St Helens hooker James Roby is remarkably in contention to face Bradford on Sunday despite fracturing an eye socket last week.
The 25-year-old suffered the injury in the first half of last Friday's Engage Super League victory over Leeds, although he played on until the 74th minute.
He was promptly ruled out by England for Friday's International Origin match against the Exiles but Saints hope he can still travel to the Grattan Stadium two days later.
Coach Royce Simmons said: "He has got a fracture, but it is a very small fracture.
"The specialist said he can play because it would need the same impact again to break it but he was badly bruised, swollen and numb in the face.
"He wasn't feeling he could go down, give a good week's training (with England) and then play in this game.
"He was upset because he loves playing for his country but I think there was a bit of relief there, as he was worried about it.
"I will give him until Sunday and if the swelling goes down and the numbness leaves his face, I will play him."
Simmons is confident the Rugby Football League would not have any issues if Roby played on Sunday.
Clubs have been warned that players withdrawing from the International Origin match through injury will not be eligible to play in Super League clubs in the same weekend.
But Simmons said: "There is no problem with it because they are virtually the ones who ruled him out.
"They could have played him but have decided they don't want to, and I think it was a pretty smart decision.
"We have got another 48 hours but I don't know if I will play him yet either."

[Padge]

What does "they VIRTUALY ruled him out" mean, they either ruled him out or didn't.

Do St.Helens not realise they have a duty of care for their employees.

Edited by Padge, 11 June 2011 - 10:41 AM.

[Wilderspoolmemories]

At the very least this isn't really fair on the player. Are saints really so desperate for him to play that they have to risk injuring him even further? And if a player doesn't play an international game because of injury and the rules state he then can't play for his club with that same injury,I think the RFL should step in and tell saints not to select him,if only to protect the player himself from further injury. I am surprised that a coach as experienced as Simmons seems prepared to gamble with a players health. Not something I could ever see Tony Smith doing,and if I was a player under the control of simmons I don't think i'd be to impressed with him. Is he so desperate for wins that he values two points above his duty of care to his squad?

[southstand loiner]

i dont suppose any bradford player will have heard about this and may take a shot at the eye .
easy way to get rid of a player and take an advantage.maybe we can loan them ryan bailey

[terrywebbisgod]

i dont suppose any bradford player will have heard about this and may take a shot at the eye .
easy way to get rid of a player and take an advantage.maybe we can loan them ryan bailey

Bailey wouldn't have the bottle to do it.I like the idea of sending him out on loan though.

[southstand loiner]

Bailey wouldn't have the bottle to do it.I like the idea of sending him out on loan though.

of course bailey would have the bottle . im sure he could go in as third man and put the shot on target.

[terrywebbisgod]

of course bailey would have the bottle . im sure he could go in as third man and put the shot on target.

And then run away and hide behind his "minder" Rob Burrow.

[southstand loiner]

And then run away and hide behind his "minder" Rob Burrow.

not if he were playing for bradford theres none of them look capable of been a doorman let alone a minder but a quick substution may do the job.

[Bitofaboogie]

i dont suppose any bradford player will have heard about this and may take a shot at the eye .
easy way to get rid of a player and take an advantage.maybe we can loan them ryan bailey

Is Gareth Raynor playing??

[stimpo-and-kat]

My sources tell me its only a slight fracture and the swelling has gone. Hes seeing the club doctor today who will have the final word on it.

[marklaspalmas]

Will Matt King turn out for Warrington I wonder?

[Padge]

My sources tell me its only a slight fracture and the swelling has gone. Hes seeing the club doctor today who will have the final word on it.

Is that a virtual doctor?

[southstand loiner]

Is Gareth Raynor playing??

no but its a good job its not saints v wigan or joel tomkins or lima could have some fun

[southstand loiner]

My sources tell me its only a slight fracture and the swelling has gone. Hes seeing the club doctor today who will have the final word on it.

im no doctor but wont the fracture still be there even though the swelling has gone ?

[dkw]

Is that a virtual doctor?

NHS direct is my guess.

[Tommy The C5t]

My sources tell me its only a slight fracture and the swelling has gone. Hes seeing the club doctor today who will have the final word on it.

He's not at the BRI is he John? I'll have to text Vicky to tell her to keep him waiting till just a little after 5:30pm

[l'angelo mysterioso]

i dont suppose any bradford player will have heard about this and may take a shot at the eye .
easy way to get rid of a player and take an advantage.maybe we can loan them ryan bailey

easy way to get sent off and cop a massive fine and ban as well

it's still well out of order, the guy's got a fragile head injury
I hope they know what they are doing.

[Tommy The C5t]

i dont suppose any bradford player will have heard about this and may take a shot at the eye .
easy way to get rid of a player and take an advantage.maybe we can loan them ryan bailey

We would be only doing what Webb has been doing for the past four years at Leeds.

[my missus]

well i am not gonna tiptoe around this, obviously saints didn't want him to play in the exiles game and so exagerated his injury, now he has had a miracle recovery.
for me a load of ######.

[giwildgo]

Saints have a duty of care to Roby and will know what they are doing. I don't like the idea or precedent created by players being released from international duty due to injury then playing for their clubs the same weekend, but its not against the current rules.