Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson says enforcer Victor Radley can be the one of the NRL's marquee hookers.
Regular back-rower Radley will begin an extended stint in the No.9 jumper on Saturday night in place of the injured Jake Friend, against a Wests Tigers team that has lost Benji Marshall to his hamstring injury.
After looking like a shoo-in for a Queensland debut, Friend had his State of Origin dreams dashed by a biceps rupture on Anzac Day that is set to sideline him for the next 10-12 weeks.
Radley himself has been a revelation since coming into grade in late 2017 and after just 35 games, the hard-hitting and skilful back-rower finds himself being spoken about as a possible NSW contender.
In the lead up to Saturday's clash with Wests Tigers, Robinson said he had told the 21-year-old that he believed his future was in the No.13 jumper.
But if he wanted to he could be one of the game's best dummy halves.
"Victor's a lock, I've told him this, he's a world-class lock," Robinson said.
"But if he set his mind to being a hooker, I think he'd be in the top five hookers in the game.
"If he said 'alright I'm going to bunker down and be a hooker', the way he plays, he won an under-20s grand final going to hooker at halftime and overcoming a big deficit, he's got all the tools there."
Radley will face off against one of the most celebrated No.9s in the game in Robbie Farah at the SCG on Saturday night.
Despite both sides heading into the round in the top eight, many view it as a mismatch on paper and the Roosters have been installed as short-priced $1.20 favourites.
"I think that's disrespectful," Robinson said when it was suggested that his side were levels above the Tigers.
"That's the first time I've heard that, no one's ever mentioned that.
"We're not where we want to be, we want more out of ourselves. There's a confidence but there's a hunger. We want to go after the Tigers and play a real physical game."
After looking ominous the last few weeks, the Roosters welcome back in-form five-eighth Luke Keary and lock Isaac Liu.
But they have lost winger Matt Ikuvalu to a knee injury.
Meanwhile the Tigers indicated on Friday night Ryan Matterson would start at five-eighth in place of Marshall, while Russell Packer also appears set for a recall.
STATS THAT MATTER
* Of all current teams, the Roosters have their best winning percentage against the Wests Tigers (71.9 per cent), winning 23 of 32 including 15 of their past 17.
* The Tigers have the second best completion rate at 78.7 per cent. The Roosters have the worst at 70.3 per cent.
