‘Had a go at me’: Elliott Whitehead, Trent Robinson’s explosive post-match clash

The Raiders’ win over the Roosters has ended in furious scenes after an ugly clash between Elliott Whitehead and Trent Robinson after full-time.

Whitehead and Robinson had it out. Photo: NRL.com

Roosters coach Trent Robinson has had an ugly post-match run in with Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead in ugly scenes after Canberra’s shock 14-12 win.

The tempers were already frayed after the Roosters suffered injury carnage with Sam Walker going off with a suspected ACL, Brandon Smith suffering a medial knee injury and an AC joint shoulder injury for Victor Radley.

Nat Butcher also failed a HIA and will likely miss next week’s round 27 match with South Sydney, unless he can get an exemption.

Watch every game of every round this NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

However, the trio of blows has cast doubt over the Roosters’ premiership hunt.

But it was Smith’s injury that has landed in the spotlight after reinjuring his knee in what could well end his season.

The incident came two minutes before halftime when Smith dived on a free ball, but as no defender had placed a hand on him, despite Whitehead hovering, the Roosters hooker got up to run again.

Referee Todd Smith had ruled it a surrender tackle and blew the whistle, but Whitehead was already in the tackling motion and fell on the back of the Roosters rake’s legs in what appeared to be a hip drop tackle.

That was ugly. Photo: Fox Sports

Smith was left in agony and was helped off the field — he was later seen on crutches.

Whitehead was ultimately sin binned for the incident.

“Sam Walker and Brandon Smith in doubt for the rest of the season is a mortal blow for the Roosters,” Greg Alexander said at halftime.

Whitehead was sin binned again in the second half after he bizarrely tried to kick the ball out of Angus Crichton’s hands while they were standing in a tackle.

In the post-match press conferences after the match however, Whitehead revealed he and Robinson had had words after the Raiders captain attempted to apologise to Smith.

Whitehead spoke about his sin bins in the post-match press conference.

“Obviously I didn’t mean to do Brandon,” Whitehead said.

“I know he’s come up with a bad injury and I’m sorry to him for that, but I just wasn’t happy for the way I went up to ask about Brandon and apologise and Trent Robinson has had a go at me. I went to apologies and he’s turned on me.

“The way he did that, I thought it was out of order.

“I don’t know what he said in his media if he’s done if he’s yet but yeah look, I’m sorry to Brandon.

“Regarding the other sin bin, I don’t know if you know the rules or if I don’t know the rules, I was trying to stop an offload. I didn’t strike him in any malicious way but whatever, I don’t care.”

Whitehead and Robinson had it out. Photo: NRL.com

Robinson confirmed he had words with Whitehead, appearing to accuse the Raiders skipper of being a repeat offender when it comes to hip drop tackles.

“He came up and just wanted to ask how Brandon was, and I just said it’s too many times,” Robinson said.

“The hip drop has been pretty common in his game for a long time and I just said it’s too many times, it’s cost us a player. That was it.

“He said it was an accident and I said well it’s too many times. That was it.”

When pressed on the issue, Robinson said he had “done it a lot in his career.

“It’s been pretty common if you go and have a look,” he said.

“I like Elliott. I’ve watched him since he played for Bradford and Catalans but it’s been pretty common and that was what I said.

“I know he’s opened it up here which is why we’re talking about it and I wouldn’t want to usually talk to you guys about it but he opened it up and it’s been really common in his game his whole career.”

The AAP reported that Whitehead had only been charged with grade one offences in the past two seasons.

Whitehead is playing his last season in the NRL and is set to go back to England.

If he’s charged and suspended for the incident, this could be the final match of his NRL career.

Originally published as ‘Had a go at me’: Elliott Whitehead, Trent Robinson’s explosive post-match clash