Joey Manu in brutal double injury reveal amid James Tedesco's stunning response to Origin axing

James Tedesco put on a masterclass on Sunday in his first NRL game since officially losing his NSW State of Origin spot, but the Roosters will be without Joey Manu for the next month after he suffered two fractures in his hand. Manu copped the brutal blow in the Roosters' 40-6 drubbing of the Wests Tigers, which threatens to disrupt the end of his time in the NRL before he switches to Japanese rugby.

Manu winced in pain after attempting to fend off Adam Doueihi in the first half on Sunday night, and immediately left the field holding his left hand. The club revealed on Monday morning that the gun centre has two fractures in his hand, and early indications are that he will be out for at least four weeks.

"It's a broken hand," Roosters coach Robinson said after the game. "I didn't see him (in the sheds) but I think he's gone to have it repaired or looked at straight away. It's a broken hand which is disappointing. I was hoping it was a cork or a winding because I couldn't really see, but as soon as you saw the replay and saw his hand, you knew it wasn't great."

'NRL Physio' Brien Seeney had earlier said Manu might be looking at 6-8 weeks on the sidelines depending on the severity of the injury. However Titans player Jayden Campbell fractured his hand against the Warriors in Round 16 and is only expected to miss two weeks, while Bulldogs prop Max King only missed one game with a fractured hand earlier this season.

Joey Manu injury adds to Roosters back-line chaos

Manu is in his final season with the Roosters before he heads to Japanese rugby. He said last month that he won't be back in the NRL next year and wants to give rugby a decent crack. The 28-year-old could be eyeing a spot on the All Blacks team for the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027.

His injury adds further stress to an already depleted Roosters backline. Joseph Suaalii has one more game to serve from his State of Origin suspension, while Fetalaiga Pauga is banned for another three weeks for a high shot.

Billy Smith (ankle), Robert Toia (knee) and Lewis Murphy (scaphoid) are also out injured, but Michael Jennings made his return from a hamstring injury in the NSW Cup on Saturday. Jennings could form a centre pairing with Sitili Tupouniua against the Dragons in Round 18, after the back-rower played out wider against the Tigers.

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James Tedesco in stunning display after State of Origin axing

Meanwhile, Tedesco was the star of the show as the Roosters thrashed the Tigers to consolidate their spot in the top four. The veteran fullback had a try and two assists while running for 231 metres in a sparkling performance.

He also had two line breaks and 11 tackle breaks in his first game for the Roosters since State of Origin 2 - in which Dylan Edwards made his debut in place of the axed Tedesco. The 31-year-old played in NSW's loss in Origin 1, but was dumped when Edwards overcame the quad injury that kept him out of the opening game of the series.

Speaking last month, Tedesco admitted his Origin career is likely over. "Madge (Michael Maguire) came in and wanted to make some changes," he told Channel 9. "I'll support that and I think all of NSW should get behind the team and hopefully they can get a win and make it a decider in Game 3."

with AAP