Once seen as New Zealand's next big NRL thing, Brad Abbey is now the Sydney Roosters' next man up as they struggle to fill a team sheet for Friday's clash with South Sydney.
The Roosters only named 20 instead of the usual 21 for their Suncorp Stadium game, the clubs' 248th encounter but first outside of Sydney.
Dale Copley (foot), Nat Butcher (knee) and Adam Keighran (head knock) joined a casualty list that's swelled to 11 in the penultimate round of the regular season.
The Roosters (15-7) keep finding a way though, train-and-trial talent Abbey the latest to be called upon with half or five-eighth Lachlan Lam playing in the centres.
Sam Verrills and Ben Marschke provide coach Trent Robinson some rare depth at hooker, allowing returning No.9 Freddy Lussick to earn game time on a short-term loan with St George Illawarra.
"We're down to 20, that's what we've got but we only need 17 to play," Robinson said.
"It's got to the point where if I can wave a magic wand and turn a hooker into an outside back I would.
"(But we can't) so we need to adapt and Lachy's been incredible at adapting."
He is hopeful for 24-year-old Abbey, whom he first scouted as a high-profile 16-year-old fullback in a flying visit to New Zealand.
Set to feature on the wing, Abbey has played just 13 NRL games since debuting for the Bulldogs in 2017.
"Brad was one of the next in line coming through as Warriors fullback and then they recruited Roger (Tuivasa-Sheck)," Robinson said.
"So he moved to Canterbury, the Raiders, Wests Tigers ... this is a really common story in our game, just bouncing to look for your opportunity."
Incredibly just six points separate the sides across 247 games, although the Rabbitohs are gunning for three consecutive wins for the first time since 1988.
"There always is (something special) and we're looking forward to the contest," Robinson said.
"Mentally we'll be in the right spot, ready to play ... these are the games you really look forward to."
Roosters forward Isaac Liu will become the 11th player in club history dating back to 1908 to play 200 first-grade games.
"It's such a privilege to coach a low-maintenance player as you'll ever ever get," Robinson said of Liu, who will play for Gold Coast next season.
"He knows his task, he's details driven and he's played with an amazing capacity to improve himself year on year.
"I can't speak highly enough of him."
