The one and only member of the Roosters senior squad on the current injury list, Sam Moa, says the squad's scarcely believable run of good luck with injuries is down to the skill and hard work of the club's medical team and diligence of players and coaching staff.
Moa also said he has been getting 'smashed' with cardio and fitness work while he recovers from a dislocated wrist suffered against the Bulldogs in Round 21, expected to sideline him until Round 26.
The horror injury "wasn't too bad at the time" according to the Roosters prop.
"It was a bit painful but the shock, once that wore out I really felt it. I was just worried that hopefully there wasn't a break in there and lucky enough there was no fracture, just a dislocation," Moa said.
Moa's coach Trent Robinson said after the Bulldogs game that Moa had been taken to hospital where medical staff were trying to get the joint back in, and if unsuccessful would have required an operation the next day to re-set it. Luckily for Moa this proved not to be the case.
"If they couldn't get it in that night they would have had to open it up the next day and do it that way which would have meant a long stint on the sidelines but luckily I had a very good doctor there [and] he was able to pop it back in," Moa said.
Aside from the obvious, there's an additional reason footy players don't enjoy injuries to their hands or wrists keeping them sidelined – the extra fitness work they get lumped with.
"Yeah, I'm getting smashed," Moa laughed.
"Michael Jennings was laughing, he said 'sucked in' because if it was a leg I wouldn't have to do much running. But I need the running. I'm getting fresh but I'm getting smashed up at training which is only going to hold me in good stead when I return.
"I'll be good for some long, long stints."
Moa said he hasn't made a good spectator since being injured.
"I don't like it at all. The only good thing is you don't have to put up with the anxiety and the nerves pre-match, which is a bit annoying, but it was good to watch the guys [against Newcastle], especially that first half.
"It's never good to watch from the sidelines, you just want to be out on the field getting amongst it. I'm lucky to be where I'm at at the moment in regards to the length of the injury so I can't complain."
Moa said the Roosters' support staff don't get the credit they deserve.
"You can only have [a strong roster] if there's not many injuries and [we have] what I think are some of the best medical staff I've ever come across. I don't think they get enough credit but they really do work wonders to keep everyone on the field.
"They do a tremendous job keeping everyone fit and they're very diligent in regards to their prep work and injury prevention. Not just rehab work, they're very diligent in prevention.
"Robbo and head of performance Travis Touma, they have a good relationship there and filter down to our head physio Steph [Brennan] and Louisa [Cutler, senior squad physiotherapist]. They all work very hard and we can see them work hard as players which in turn only makes us want to work hard for them to follow their rehab programs and prehab stuff."
Moa will once again be watching from the sidelines as his teammates take on the Eels at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, but he joked the extra time off would give him a chance to work on his playmaking skills, and outlined what fans could expect of him when he does return.
"A couple of tries, couple of try assists, chip and chase, cross field kick to Daniel Tupou, flick pass to Mitchell Pearce and a grubber kick for Jimmy Maloney! Just hopefully 'Robbo' picks me in the team," he laughed.
This article was first published on NRL.COM
