From the Daily Telegraph, Jimmy set to get a test and if he's all clear, he can return
James Roberts released from rehabilitation centre, hopeful of playing in Round 3
South Sydney flyer James Roberts is hoping to be cleared by the NRL to return for Round 3, while while Wayne Bennett and Cody Walker prepare for their judgment day.
Jimmy “The Jet” Roberts is ready to be cleared for take off, while Wayne Bennett and Cody Walker prepare for their judgment day.
In a major boost for South Sydney ahead of next Friday night’s blockbuster return clash with the Sydney Roosters, Roberts is expected to be cleared to return to South Sydney training on Friday after being released from a rehabilitation facility.
It comes as the strife-torn Rabbitohs await the findings of an NRL integrity unit investigation into Walker’s involvement in a street fight that turned into a blackmail investigation following an altercation in his hometown of Casino last December, with a decision expected on Friday.
On top of Walker facing a possible ban and fine, Bennett could also be sanctioned for his decision not to pass on his knowledge of the incident to the integrity unit when Walker initially told him about it some time ago.
Roberts is pushing to play in the comeback clash but Bennett wants to see what condition he is in physically and mentally before committing either way.
Roberts made contact with Bennett on Thursday morning and after that the club put in a request to the NRL to have him officially cleared to rejoin his teammates.
The NRL has strict protocols in place due to isolation restrictions.
But given Roberts has also been in isolation in the rehab facility for the past two weeks Souths were confident that would speed up his clearance.
Roberts had also undergone COVID-19 testing in the rehabilitation centre.
The NRL last weekend allowed Walker to return to team training after he was initially told to stay away following his visit to the police station on Sunday.
If Roberts does play it will most likely mean Campbell Graham shifts back to the wing and Alex Johnston to the bench.
Meanwhile, Bennett’s involvement in the so-called Walker cover-up has divided many in the game ahead of Friday’s expected verdict on a punishment.
Bennett has always prided himself on being a players’ coach and in this instance he maintains his actions were justified because there was no outside complaint made to the club or police.
But that didn’t stop the NRL’s integrity unit interviewing Bennett on Tuesday, and it appears the game’s longest surviving coach has already upset the new boss at NRL headquarters.
New interim NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo on Thursday spoke generically about the onus on all clubs to report any suspected breach to the governing body.
Given the NSW Police has already cleared Walker of his karate kick involvement, it will be interesting to see what if any punishment the NRL dishes out to Walker or Bennett.
It has become a hot topic in the game in recent years in respect to how far the integrity unit’s powers should extend and this is another test of their judgment
