Daly Cherry-Evans backed to bury field goal demons

Daly Cherry-Evans is under intense pressure to deliver for the Sydney Roosters this Saturday after a costly missed field goal sent the side into a sudden-death semi-final. The veteran halfback's late error in the 19-12 finals loss to Penrith last Sunday has put his clutch-kicking ability in the spotlight, but he retains the full backing of captain James Tedesco and the squad ahead of the clash with the Cronulla Sharks.

Field goal execution has become the central talking point for the Roosters this week. In the final 10 minutes against Penrith, Cherry-Evans gave away a seven-tackle set. Moments later, Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary slotted the go-ahead one-pointer. When Cherry-Evans had his chance to respond, his attempt sailed wide. That miss sent the Roosters into a must-win semi-final this weekend. Tedesco, however, has watched the 37-year-old deliver in high-pressure moments for 16 years and believes he will do so again. "He's iced those so many times and we've got all the confidence and belief he'll do it again when we need him to," Tedesco said. Cherry-Evans has landed 32 field goals in his career, including a match-winner against Newcastle in Round 21 and another in Round 16 against Canberra.

Immediately after the Penrith defeat, Cherry-Evans shouldered the blame for the loss. Tedesco revealed the halfback's accountability but was quick to spread responsibility across the entire team. "Straight away he accepted it, and as a team, you don't dump that all on him," the captain stated. He pointed to Cherry-Evans's track record of success in clutch situations earlier this season. The skipper emphasised the importance of moving on quickly, a task made easier by the veteran's experience. "With Chez, with his experience and how comfortable he is in those situations, we have full confidence in whatever he decides to do," Tedesco added. The team's focus in training has shifted sharply to field goal set-up and execution, anticipating another tight contest.

The pressure on Cherry-Evans is amplified by the continued absence of young halfback Sam Walker. Coach Trent Robinson had hinted Walker was an outside chance to return from ankle surgery for the Cronulla game, but the club has opted for caution. The 24-year-old underwent surgery for a syndesmosis injury sustained in a loss to the Dolphins last month. "It's only been a couple of weeks, so he's probably got another week or so I'm guessing," Tedesco said of Walker's recovery. While Walker has started running, his absence means Cherry-Evans will carry the primary playmaking burden against the Sharks. This decision solidifies Cherry-Evans's role and leaves no doubt about who will be steering the side around Allianz Stadium.

The Roosters host the Sharks at Allianz Stadium on Saturday in a finals week two elimination match. The game is widely expected to be decided by fine margins, making the battle between the halves and their ability to manage the game absolutely critical. Cherry-Evans's experience of 32 career field goals stands in contrast to a Sharks side with no player having kicked one this season. The entire season now hinges on this performance. A win keeps the dream alive, while a loss ends the campaign.

• James Tedesco has publicly backed Daly Cherry-Evans to deliver under pressure.
• Cherry-Evans has kicked 32 field goals in his 16-year NRL career.
• Rival halfback Sam Walker has been ruled out for at least another week with an ankle injury.
• The Roosters' season depends on beating the Cronulla Sharks this Saturday.