Newcastle Knights coach Adam O’Brien says players don’t deserve to be stripped of wins
Adam O’Brien has revealed a story of remarkable courage about his hooker Jayden Brailey in the round two victory over the Wests Tigers - and it’s why the NRL must not dock teams of points.
NRL
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Adam O’Brien won his first two games as an NRL coach and doesn’t want them taken away from him.
It’s not about himself but more for the players, success-starved fans and sponsors.
He tells a story of remarkable courage about his hooker Jayden Brailey in the round two victory over the Wests Tigers.
It’s why he’s speaking out for his players.
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“You know Jayden Brailey didn’t tell me at half-time he’d done his ACL,” O’Brien said
“He goes out and plays the second-half to fight for his team mates and our club.
“He fought on with a ruptured ACL because the two points meant so much.
“In a trial game he might have come off at half-time.
“I couldn’t look him in the eye and say that game meant nothing to him.”
O’Brien says the Knights have an obligation to speak out and fight this for the most loyal supporter group in the competition.
“I’m absolutely for getting rugby league back on the field as soon as we can,” he said. “That’s the priority for everyone.
“But think of our members, our fans and our sponsors. We’re asking them to stick with us.
“There’s not a lot of positivity around at the moment but they’re hanging onto those four points we got. The future survival of our club depends on these people and I’ve got to fight hard for them.
“We’ve also lost Mitch Barnett for 12 weeks and Kalyn (Ponga) to a suspension.
“Do we get them back? Of course we don’t”