Roosters coach Trent Robinson, Dragons coach Paul McGregor in heated post-game exchange

A CLAIM Dragons players were feigning injury led to a heated exchanged between coach Paul McGregor and his Roosters counterpart Trent Robinson on Monday.

Dragons coach Paul McGregor and Roosters coach Trent Robinson were involved in a post game stoush.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA coach Paul McGregor and Roosters counterpart Trent Robinson were involved in a heated exchange on Monday after McGregor took exception to Robinson’s claims that his players feigned injury for the second consecutive year.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the pair clashed long after the Dragons 20-18 win against the Roosters finished at Allianz Stadium as the ugly aftermath of the Anzac Day clash continues.

Robinson approached McGregor to inform his counterpart that he was critical of the Dragons players in the post-game media conference, after he believed St George Illawarra players had laid down to attract penalties during the match.

Dragons coach Paul McGregor and Roosters coach Trent Robinson were involved in a post game stoush.

It is understood that McGregor lashed out against Robinson and ‘defended his ground’ with the animated conversation surrounding McGregor’s desire to protect his team’s credibility and guard his reputation. McGregor was still seething from Robinson’s claims that then rookie centre Euan Aitken had laid down to attract a penalty in the corresponding fixture last year.

While Robinson nor McGregor would comment on the exchange, McGregor took aim at his Roosters rival at his weekly press conference on Wednesday.

“It was a sign of a frustrated man to be honest after the game,” McGregor said on Wednesday. “I’m annoyed.

“Last year he made a reference to young Euan Aitken staying on the ground. (Robinson) was coming off four losses at that time. They only lost seven penalty counts in the next 19 games. Maybe there is a little method into what he is talking about right now.

“I don’t stand in front of the players and talk about staying on the ground because of the bunker. Not once.”

Robinson is facing two separate $20,000 fines for post-game tirades. He approached referee Ben Cummins in the tunnel moments after Monday’s game before slamming the referee and the bunker in the post-game press conference.

Dragons coach Paul McGregor and Roosters coach Trent Robinson were involved in a post game stoush.

McGregor said the penalties his team received were justified.

“If you look at the five penalties (Robinson) may be talking about,” McGregor said. “Mitch Rein, which was a penalty that gained us two points which could have had an influence on the game when you look at the end scoreline, he went off with 30 minutes to go and did not take any further part in the game. We had to use a replacement when he couldn’t come back. If that’s a guy lying on the ground then I’m in the wrong game. I played the game for a very long time.

“The second penalty Taane Milne he got knocked out. You can’t get off the ground if you’re knocked out.

Referee Ben Cummins speaks to Roosters players during the round eight NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on April 25.

“The (Sam) Moa incident on (Josh) McCrone he got cited for that. There are only two other ones in the game when players did not get off the ground. One was McCrone late in the game and he got taken out after the ball was kicked.

“We didn’t get a penalty and they got a 20 metre tap and the last one was Jason Nightingale who was grappled tackled. He had every right to do whatever he wants. He is an international player. If he thinks he is uncomfortable and has been taken out the wrong way, he can do what he needs to do.

“I can’t see how those five decisions could be changed.

“He is talking about the bunker being the on-field referee. It was unfortunate that a forward pass which led to one of their tries we didn’t get reviewed. And the try that (Latrell) Mitchell scored was off a knock on and that didn’t even go to the bunker.”