NRL 2021: Roosters coach Trent Robinson denies abusing Rabbitohs forward Jaydn Su’A
Roosters coach Trent Robinson has responded to allegations he abused a Rabbitohs’ star during the heated Suncorp Stadium clash.
NRL
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South Sydney forward Jaydn Su’A told teammates, officials and club coaching staff he was insulted by Trent Robinson at halftime last Friday night – an allegation the Roosters coach angrily denies.
As the fiery aftermath to the Rabbitohs-Roosters clash continues, the NRL is aware of the allegation but won’t investigate unless Souths lodge a formal complaint.
Souths have spoken to the NRL about the alleged incident and had hoped the matter would be investigated without the club being forced to lodge a complaint.
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Su’A told members of Souths’ coaching staff that Robinson called him a “thug”. Robinson bristled at the allegation when contacted by The Daily Telegraph, describing the assertion as being “completely untrue.”
Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly labelled Su’A “a young man of great integrity and character, who plays the game in the right spirit”.
While angry at the reported incident, Souths will not file a formal complaint, with the club wanting to focus on their preparations for the finals.
The Su’A-Robinson speculation is part of a wide-ranging investigation into several ugly incidents to emerge from the match.
“We are content to let the NRL’s review of these incidents to be completed upon gathering all available evidence. If we have any concerns, we will address them privately and through the appropriate NRL processes,” said Solly.
“But I can say that Jaydn is a young man of great integrity and character, who plays the game in the right spirit”.
The Su’A incident was alleged to have occurred at halftime on the sideline at Suncorp Stadium.
Su’A was not charged by the NRL match review committee.
Asked about the alleged Su’A confrontation, Robinson wrote in a text message to The Daily Telegraph: “Completely untrue.”
Telegraph: “So no contact with Jaydn at all?”
Robinson: “Your source is trying a square-up for a tough night for all. Untrue.”
Su’A was spotted in deep discussion with Souths coach Wayne Bennett at halftime on Friday night.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo confirmed he could not formally investigate until Souths lodged a complaint.
Rabbitohs officials question why the NRL needed their grievance to proceed when they could simply contact Robinson and Su’A in a bid to determine the truth.
“Unless there is clear cut audio or visual evidence then we need a complaint to act,” Abdo said.
“A good example was the (Cronulla player) Will Chambers sledging matter. We didn’t receive a complaint from the Warriors and there was no obvious evidence from the broadcast to investigate.
“We would need a complaint or clear evidence to investigate the matter you are referring to.”
The NRL is also investigating the behaviour of Roosters players seated in the Suncorp Stadium dugout for the game.
A number of Roosters players abused Latrell Mitchell after the Souths star fractured the cheekbone of Roosters centre Joey Manu in a horrible hit during the second half.
Their actions are part of an NRL ground manager’s report.
Working sideline for Fox Sports, former Test player Corey Parker said: “When Latrell walked off the field around the 40-metre line, closer to the Roosters’ end, they didn’t miss him. They were livid and rightly so.
“The reality is, if Jared, Angus or Victor were on the field, at the field at the time, they would have lost their s. t.”
Rabbitohs throw support behind Latrell
– Nick Walshaw
South Sydney captain Adam Reynolds has defended Latrell Mitchell over attacks on both his character and playing style, saying: “It’s pretty easy to stand behind a microphone and bag someone”.
As the ugly fallout over Mitchell’s high shot on Roosters centre Joey Manu continues, Rabbitohs No. 7 Reynolds has hit back at suggestions the Indigenous All Star deliberately set out to maim his rival.
While the Bunnies skipper would not be drawn on the sideline criticism from Roosters stars like Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Victor Radley – “they’re sticking up for their player, I get it” – he did suggest the Mitchell fallout had gone too far.
Back in May last year, Reynolds likened the growing negativity around the Bunnies poster boy to that of Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan in his prime – and even warned ongoing Mitchell “bashing” could force the Bunnies favourite out of the game.
So now, a tick over 12 months on, does he fear the same thing is happening again now that Mitchell has effectively been rubbed out for the rest of the year?
“Um, I’m not too sure about that one,” he said.
“Everyone has strong opinions on people in the game. And some more than others.
“So it’s (about) how we handle it as individuals.
“It’s pretty easy to stand behind a microphone and bag someone. Or have comments about someone
“But we don’t really know what they’re thinking or feeling do we?”
While Mitchell has been suspended for six weeks, both Reynolds and fellow Bunnie Campbell Graham insisted the high shot on Manu was not deliberate.
The duo also defended the aggressive way Mitchell plays rugby league and suggested he should not change, despite the criticism again being sent his way.
“No player goes out there to deliberately hurt someone,” Reynolds said when quizzed on suggestions the Mitchell tackle was deliberate.
“And that’s basically all I’m going to say.
“We’ve moved on.
“We can’t control what’s happened so we need to move on and work out what is in front of us. Obviously it’s a good opportunity for some of the younger boys to get a game this week and that’s what we’re looking forward to.”
Asked about several Roosters players blowing up at Mitchell from the sideline, and while the game was still underway, Reynolds said he understood the reactions which are also now under investigation.
“They’re sticking up for their players as we do for our players,” he said.
“I get it. There’s frustration, obviously. It’s a game of footy and there are a lot of emotions flowing throughout the game.”
Asked how Mitchell was, the halfback added: “He’s all right. We will look after him.”
Souths centre Graham agreed, adding that he would hate to see the NSW Origin star change his playing style.
“There was no intent, I believe,” Graham said of the tackle.
“I don’t think he (Mitchell) has gone out there to hurt anyone.
“He’s a physical player and the match review committee has handled it. He’s copped the six weeks so that’s it.
“I’m sure he’s upset.
“He’s going to miss the rest of this year and that’s a shame.
“But I don’t want to see Latrell change his game at all.
“I like what he brings. His aggression, his intent.
“Sometimes things go wrong on the field and it’s a shame. You don’t ever want to see anyone from the opposition get hurt.
“But in our game, there is a place for aggression and physicality and Latrell brings that. Unfortunately sometimes it goes wrong and no one wants to see that.
“I don’t want to see that. But there are plenty of players in the NRL who bring that same aggression and that’s what a lot of people like to see. And we do see it plenty of times throughout the year, where players get it wrong.”
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