NRL 2023: Trent Robinson defends Roosters coaching staff as pressure mounts on club
The Roosters may be forced to launch a full-blown roster review if they lose to Manly this weekend, which would see them miss the finals for just the second time in 11 years.
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson leapt to the defence of his staff on Wednesday but he may not be able to protect his players from an off-season cull as Manly prepare to deliver last rites on the Roosters’ season at the SCG on Thursday night.
Defeat to the 10th-placed Sea Eagles would see the Roosters miss the finals for just the second time in 11 seasons, leaving the proud club with no choice but to conduct a full-blown review of their roster.
The Roosters have already signed powerful Knights winger Dominic Young and hard-running Penrith prop Spencer Leniu for next season. However, the influential Roosters board have proven in the past that they aren’t afraid to make the tough calls for the sake of protecting the club’s powerful brand.
Only the 2009 (16th) and 2016 (15th) seasons compare to the Roosters current plight and on both occasions the club wielded the axe postseason.
Pressure is mounting and Robinson was forced to defend halves consultant Cooper Cronk on Wednesday after the former halfback was the focus of reports that he could be moved on as a result of the Roosters dismal attack.
“All of my staff that are here this year will be here next year. That’s pretty clear,’’ Robinson said.
Premiership heavyweights to begin the season, the Roosters are rated $151 with the TAB to win the title - their longest odds since 2016.
A blue-chip team loaded with stars including NSW State of Origin captain James Tedesco, reigning Golden Boot winner Joey Manu, Clive Churchill medallist Luke Keary, 2023’s most-prized signing Brandon Smith, the greatest try scorer in Roosters history and Queensland State of Origin hero Lindsay Collins, the Roosters boast their worst attack since their wooden spoon season of 2009.
The Roosters are averaging just over 17 points scored this season, compared to 15.9 of 2009.
Underlining just how far the Roosters have fallen in 2023 is the fact that only the Wests Tigers (52) have scored fewer tries this season than the Roosters (55).
Even with $1.6 million Wallabies recruit Joseph Suaalii in the backline alongside Manu, Keary and Tedesco, the Roosters are averaging under three tries per game for only the second time in 25-years.
Robinson realises every game is sudden death now for his side.
“It is pretty simple - tomorrow night is pretty important to us,” he said.
“There’s not much use hiding from that. We are pretty clear on what we need to do. The mindset is as it always is - to start fast and nail your game plan from the beginning.”
The good news is that Sam Walker is edging closer to his return after missing much of the season with a knee problem. The bad news is that his return will likely come too late.
“The long list of tests he has been doing over the last few weeks have come back pretty positive,” Robinson said.
“The timeline is that he will get back to full training - that is the plan over the next few weeks.When he gets back to that training load we will get him back into playing footy.”
There hasn’t been a lot to crow about for the Roosters this season but a ray of sunshine has appeared on the run home.
Young star Siua Wong has taken his time to force his way into first grade but he will start his first game for the club on Thursday night.
“He was 18th man last weekend - he went back and played reserve grade on Friday night against the Dogs,” Robinson said.
“He played well. We want to keep developing him. He is going to have to learn on the run. This will be his first starting opportunity.
“They are all good progressions for a young footy player.”
ROBINSON OPENS UP ON CRONK RUMOURS
Trent Robinson has hosed down reports that coaching staff members Cooper Cronk and possibly Matt King could be moved on as part of a major shake-up of the Roosters.
The struggling Sydney club are in 14th-place and in the spotlight ahead of an SCG clash with Manly on Thursday night.
Widely-regarded as a premiership-contender this season, the Roosters have failed to fire all season.
They are averaging just over 17 points scored this season, their worst attack since their wooden spoon season of 2009 (15.9).
Such is the case, it has led to reports that halves consultant Cronk was under pressure to retain his one-day a week role with the club.
King, the assistant attack coach, has also been caught up in the increasing pressure at the club with suggestions that fellow coaching staff members Jake Friend and Boyd Cordner could be promoted into more senior roles in 2024.
However, Robinson shot down the assertion by declaring his staff will remain unchanged next year.
“Jake doesn’t even know if he wants to be an assistant or not, that’s where those discussions are,’’ Robinson said.
“I don’t know whether he’ll go on to part-time next year, let alone continue on.
“Any other reports are just a long list of hearsay that’s been going on.
“All of my staff that are here this year will be here next year. That’s pretty clear.
“Jake is the one who is trying to work out whether its home for him, or not.’’
Robinson also gave an update on injured halfback Sam Walker, who is fighting to overcome a knee injury.
The Roosters coach gave no clear timeline if Walker will play again this season. “It’s about increasing his level to get back to training and to playing. He hasn’t been training with the team, so we just need to keep increasing that training.’’
More Coverage
Panthers finish season in style at glam awards night
Penrith players ditched the party attire for suits and ties for their end-of-season presentation night, where co-captain Isaah Yeo took top honours. See the full awards plus the best photos from the evening.
‘Scandalous’: ARLC under pressure to intervene over Kernick snub
Pressure is ramping up on Peter V’landys and the ARL Commission to intervene in the shocking omission of Dally M winner Olivia Kernick from the Jillaroos squad.