Sydney Roosters legend Anthony Minichiello has defended the team’s fit stars saying it’s been a baptism of fire without Mitchell Pearce, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Boyd Cordner.

“It was a massive transition from these other guys who are leaders to fill their shows,” Minichiello said on Fox Sports.

“It takes time — weeks of thinking about it and put it into action.

“Shaun Kenny-Dowall is someone who has stood up as has Jake Friend.”

Meanwhile young Roosters playmaker Jayden Nikorima says despite the 0-5 start to the year he was enjoying his partnership with mate and halves partner Jackson Hastings.

“We played Aussie schoolboys together in the halves so to think I’d be debuting alongside him is mind blowing but I got the opportunity to do it and I’m taking the experience in and trying to better my game.

“But it’d be good to get a few wins under our belts!”