No bad blood with Whitehead, says injured Roosters star

A devastated Brandon Smith says there is no bad blood between him and Elliott Whitehead after the hip-drop tackle that ruptured his ACL, ending the Sydney Roosters star’s season.

Smith is due to undergo post-season surgery on his knee, with the hooker forced to wait until his medial ligament has healed before fixing his ACL.

The delay means he is eyeing a round 10 return next year, joining halfback Sam Walker on the sideline for the start of the 2024 NRL season after the halfback also ruptured his ACL on Sunday.

The injury carnage against Canberra has left the third-placed Roosters facing an uphill battle through the finals, with Victor Radley suffering a fractured scapula but hoping to return.

It also threw Whitehead straight into the headlines, following a post-game spat with Trent Robinson after the Raiders captain approached the Roosters to apologise.

The Roosters coach accused the Englishman of being a serial hip-dropper, with the tackle on Smith the fourth time he has been charged with the offence since late 2020.

Smith said he appreciated Robinson’s support, but confirmed Whitehead had reached out to him to clear the air.

“He messaged me and there was a bit of banter,” Smith said on The Bye Round podcast.

“It was a nothing thing. It’s rugby league and I know he didn’t mean it. No one goes out there and does it and means it. It was accident.

“I understand both sides of (Whitehead and Robinson)’s points.

“That’s what I would want from my coach. I want him to stick up for me.”

Whitehead has since accepted a three-game ban for the tackle, prematurely ending his NRL career ahead of his return to the Super League next season.

Smith said he had been told he would likely be fit to play again next May, but there are fears that could drag into later in the year given the delayed surgery.

“It was pretty devastating,” Smith said.

“I had my moment for about 30 minutes when I got the phone call because I didn’t think I actually had done my ACL. I thought I had done my (medial).”

The Roosters are expected to take the option of resting players against South Sydney on Friday night, but will play Connor Watson at hooker and Sandon Smith in the halves.

Sitili Tupouniua is likely to fill Radley’s void in the back row for the start of the finals, before the 26-year-old eyes off a fast return from his shoulder blade injury.

“If you look at our team still on paper, it’s still a bloody good team,” Smith said.

“There’s enough talent to get the job done.

“Connor Watson is a NSW hooker … Luke Keary is probably going to have to take up a more prominent role (in the halves) and talk more than he’s ever had to.

“I’m still confident in them.”