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Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has launched a withering attack on North Queensland’s attempts to create a siege mentality ahead of Friday’s NRL semi-final clash with the premiers at Allianz Stadium.
Cowboys coach Paul Green was stung with a $10,000 fine by the NRL on Wednesday for questioning the fairness of the code’s judiciary panel after the club opted against fighting the five-game suspension given to Tariq Sims for a shoulder charge on Brisbane’s Justin Hodges.
Robinson, who employed Green as part of his backroom team last season, said he surprised at the comments of the first-year coach.
“I don’t know why Paul did it, but it was his choice. It was a shoulder charge,” Robinson said.
“If it was three weeks, four weeks or five weeks, it was always going to get charged.
“I think they are (using it) to try to get ready for the game and so they should.”
Robinson was also angered by a local media campaign that mocked retiring Roosters skipper Anthony Minichiello and said it would only serve to fire up his players for the game.
“There has been a bit of talk about disrespect in the last week … they are building it up there, they are having a go at ‘Mini’.
“They have him as a chook on the front page of the paper … a guy who has played 300 games and is about to retire.
“They have definitely tried to build it up there. But they are coming down to Sydney – we’re ready for them.
“We are not a team that posts stuff up on boards, people know that it’s there .. we play it tough in a way that we want to win, but with respect.”
Robinson also said he was surprised to hear claims from Townsville that impressive young forward Jason Taumalolo would target Roosters superstar back-rower Sonny Bill Williams.
“It’s hard when they play opposite sides, that would be a start,” he said.
“But that kid can play. He’s an outstanding player and some of the stuff that has been written about his is right.
“We have to be careful of him.”
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