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Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson says he believes a one-match ban on Michael Jennings for his arrest is sufficient and he shouldn’t lose his NSW State of Origin spot.
The Roosters on Sunday stood centre Jennings down for one NRL match – Monday’s clash with St George Illawarra – after he received a notice to appear in court following an incident with police in Parramatta early on Saturday morning.
He will also be fined by the Roosters, with the amount to be determined later this week.
However there could be further ramifications, with Jennings’ spot in the NSW team for next month’s Origin series decider in Brisbane under scrutiny.
Jennings was man of the match for the Blues in last week’s game II win over Queensland and losing him would be a big blow for Laurie Daley’s Blues team.
Daley is facing a nervous wait before he next week names his team for the July 8 Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium, with Josh Jackson facing a possible suspension.
Jackson was placed on report for a lifting tackle on Jamie Soward in Canterbury’s win over Penrith on Saturday.
Daley is in no rush to make a call on Jennings’ eligibility and is still examining the incident.
NSWRL chief executive David Trodden said they were still assembling the facts and didn’t want to make a rushed decision.
Daley has taken a firm stance on ill-disciplined off-field behaviour in the past, and it’s credited with boosting the revival of their fortunes.
Jennings’ Roosters teammate Mitchell Pearce was left off last year’s NSW team after he was arrested for failing to leave a licensed premises in Kings Cross, while James Tamou was left out in 2013 because of a drink driving charge.
Should Jennings be banned it would open up the door for his Roosters teammate Blake Ferguson or South Sydney’s Dylan Walker, who was the Blues’ 19th man for Origin II.
While Robinson did not think the Jennings incident merited an Origin ban, saying his club punishment was sufficient, he said his Origin selection was out of his hands.
“It’s an issue because he’s an Origin player who played really well the other night,” Robinson said.
“He hasn’t had any serious misdemeanours as far as drink driving or assaulting someone.
“It’s been a simple disagreement which will be heard in about five weeks so I think standing him down from an NRL game and fined is definitely enough punishment.”
Jennings received a notice to appear in court for hindering police and offensive behaviour after an incident in a car park at Erby Place in Parramatta.
Police on patrol said they noticed a man kicking a boom gate and when they intervened Jennings allegedly approached police “in an aggressive manner”.
He will appear in court on July 20 charged with hindering police and offensive behaviour.
Jennings will be replaced in the Roosters team by Brendan Elliot in Monday’s match against the Dragons and will be free to play against the Gold Coast the following week.
Robinson said Jennings had broken team protocols about drinking close to games and was disappointed in his actions.
“The boys know our rules so he probably knew it (the suspension) was coming before I told him,” Robinson said.
“He’s disappointed that he’s let the guys down.
“He really wanted to play well for us, he’s been in good form.”
Robinson said the side’s other Origin players – Pearce, Boyd Cordner and Aidan Guerra – would all back up against the Dragons.
Suaia Matagi will come into the side for suspended prop Sam Moa.
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