Why Sydney Roosters have to show the ultimate mark of disrespect to old rivals South Sydney to keep their NRL premiership dream alive

Sharks ace Paul Gallen believes the Sydney Roosters may have to sacrifice a game to the Rabbitohs this weekend to keep their NRL championship hopes alive.

Injuries and suspension concerns threaten to derail the Tricolour’s path to their first championship since 2019.

Brandon Smith and Sam Walker’s football seasons are both over, a major blow for the Roosters.

Victor Radley also suffered a fractured shoulder in the club’s heavy defeat to the Canberra Raiders, while Nat Butcher is under the NRL’s concussion protocol and will serve a mandatory 11-day period.

The team selection for this week’s match against their old opponents could prove crucial to their eventual final standings. The Roosters could finish second if the Titans beat the Panthers, or even fourth if the Sharks beat Manly.

However, Gallen believes the Roosters cannot afford to take the risk and may have to sacrifice the big Sydney derby to freshen up for the finals.

“The Roosters simply cannot afford any further injuries or suspensions to key players,” he wrote in a Nine columns.

‘And fighting the Bunnies is dangerous.

‘The two clubs hate each other and that feeling can be felt on the pitch almost every time they meet.

‘Do you think the Rabbitohs won’t hit them hard every time James Tedesco or Luke Keary get the ball?

‘And if one of those guys gets injured before the final, you can forget about the Roosters competition.’

NRL legend Paul Gallen (pictured) believes the Roosters will need to rest 12 or 13 players this week against old rivals Souths

Gallen believes the Roosters should do the unthinkable and rest a large number of players ahead of their clash with the Bunnies.

“If it were possible, I would rest their best 12 or 13 players this week,” he said.

‘The club just has to accept it and realise that they might lose the game, but that it will have long-term benefits.

But hey, looking at the direction South Sydney are heading, you never know: a Roosters B team could still beat the Bunnies.

‘If Robinson can bring in some young lads who understand the history between the two clubs, and if some of the Rabbitohs players are already thinking about Mad Monday or a holiday, then the Tricolours could still run away with the win.

Gallen says a match against Bunnies could be dangerous for the Tricolours

‘The Roosters can’t drop out of the top four now. The worst they can do is finish fourth.

‘It will be the difference between a trip to Melbourne or a trip to Penrith in the first week of the finals.’

Sandon Smith is likely to be the man to wear number 7.