Ferguson NRL fullback experiment ends

Roosters coach Trent Robinson appears to have jettisoned plans to play Blake Ferguson as the NRL club's first choice fullback in favour of Latrell Mitchell.

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson appears to have ended his experiment of playing Blake Ferguson at fullback after just one NRL game.

Ferguson struggled at No.1 at times in the World Club Series win over St Helens and the Roosters round one NRL thumping to South Sydney.

Young gun Latrell Mitchell was preferred at the back by Robinson for Saturday's round two loss to Canberra in the nation's capital, with Ferguson moved back to his usual centre position.

"It was good to get back out to centre," Ferguson told reporters at the Roosters' Moore Park base on Sunday.

"And if I do go back to fullback I am sure I will be comfortable there.

"It was good to see Latrell playing in his natural position, but I will play wherever the coach wants me."

Mitchell, 18, impressed early, chiming into the Roosters backline and powering his way through the Raiders' defence for the match's first try on Saturday and his maiden four-pointer in first grade.

However, in just Mitchell's second NRL game, Raiders rake Josh Hodgson snuck a 40/20 past him in the dying minutes that paved the way for Sam Williams' match winning field goal to secure Canberra's 21-20 win.

Mitchell and halves Jackson Hastings and Jayden Nikorima have played just 25 NRL games between them.

Roosters prop Sam Moa said it would take them some time to get things right.

"There are inexperienced players but they are also very talented and it will take them a little bit of time to find their feet," he said.


Share
2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world