While match-winner Sonny Bill Williams has been hailed as everything from the second coming to a cold-blooded mercenary nobody, and I mean nobody, has taken time out to recognise coach Trent Robinson’s superb role in the Roosters’ premiership success.
At the start of the season Robinson was ‘Trent who?’.
Today he basks in the success sunshine with only five others who have coached a premiership winning side in their rookie year.
Ian Walsh (St George 1966), Leo Nosworthy (Balmain 1969) Phil Gould (Bulldogs 1988), Michael Hagan (Knights 2001), Ricky Stuart (Roosters 2002), and Trent Robinson (Roosters 2013).
The elite of the elite, and don’t ever try to underestimate the importance of a winning coach.
Those six aren’t in the same league as Wayne Bennett’s seven premierships, Jack Gibson’s five, or Tim Sheens’ four.
Give Robinson time, and he has that well and truly on his side at 36 years of age.
But that doesn’t answer the question why he’s been virtually ignored – even by fanatical Roosters fans.
Before the finals series, Robinson had chalked up an 18-win season from 24 games, amassing 640 points for (the Storm the next-best with 589) and allowing 325 against (Manly the next best with 360).
The Roosters points differential – plus 315 – was well ahead of Manly’s 222.
Unstinted praise for Trent Robinson?
Hardly a peep.
The Roosters fans were even dead-set quiet when Robinson became the youngest winner of the Dally M Coach of the Year award.
Now he’s the silent Premiership winner.
What has Trent Robinson got to do to get some recognition from the Bondi faithful?
Robinson has ticked every conceivable box, yet praise for him is a deafening silence.
Admittedly, fans can be very fickle in any sport, but the lack of respect shown for Trent Robinson borders on an embarrassment.
Just the opposite for Sonny Bill Williams.
There’s been a line drawn in the sand. On one side there are the Roosters fans waxing lyrical, the other side the mounting army of fans who want to take SBW to the cleaners.
Jealousy?
There’s a fair smack of that. The vast majority of anti-SBWs would dearly love to have him on their roster, but won’t admit it.
The cop out is to knife him publicly, just to vent their frustration.
That’s like water off a duck’s back to SBW, especially as he will return to rugby next season with the Chiefs so he can qualify for the All Blacks for the 2015 London-based Rugby World Cup.
Then there’s the inaugural Sevens in Rio at the 2016 Olympics, where SBW will be an automatic selection.
So everything SBW touches at the moment turns to gold.
Two NRL premierships with the Bulldogs and the Roosters, a Super Rugby title with the Chiefs, and a Rugby World Cup gold medal.
So far.
Still to come, another Super Rugby title with the Chiefs, another Rugby World Cup gold medal, and the icing on the cake – an Olympic gold medal with the Kiwis in Rio.
Nothing in rugby league can match those milestones. SBW has gone from the 13-man code until at least 2017, if not forever.
In the meantime, Trent Robinson will have to overcome the loss of his inspirational Sonny Bill Williams as he pieces together his 2014 campaign.
That’s a huge hole to fill, but Robinson has proved he has what it takes to succeed.
But it will be a whole lot easier if he has the verbal, and the physical, support of his quiet-as-a-mouse Roosters fans.
He deserves nothing less.
Tim
Guest
I think Jason Taylor had a lot to do with why we attacked so well this year. Will be interesting to see who they replace him with. Jason must receive much of the credit. The good thing is: two brilliant coaches learning off each other to keep our game strong. Congratulations Trent, Jason & Paul.
Muzza
Guest
Without Sonny Bill the roosters would never have won on the weekend and probably wouldn't have made the top 4 in my opinion, he has that much influence on the game. You could say the same thing about DCE for Manly's success but he wasn't brought in for 1 million dollars. Sonny Bill is a freak talent and single handedly won the Roosters plenty of games this year, i'm curious to see how Trent Robinson goes if he doesn't have him next year. Nowhere near as good I suspect although he has improved their defense out of site so they'll still be competitive no doubt.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Dont forget Kane Evans and Tatu Moga, Moga would have been a snsation this year i not for injuryand Evans was the pref choice over Napper but got injured giving Nappa his chance which he grabed with ot ands.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Simple David, its not bad news so the papers arnt interested. As for the Roosters fans have you been on the member websites and other rooster forums ? Theres been plenty of praise, As for the Roar well you know what its like, The writers usually just jump on the Anti RL bandwagon of the DT.
Nomad
Guest
Funny no mention of his brother...
Jimme
Guest
The fact that you have SBW on this website and on this page more than the roosters win says it all. We want to here more news on SBW please or your web site get next to no hits. It's a reality we live in. Interesting people sells everything. That's the truth. More SBW please I couldn't care less about dce or anyone for that matter. Thanks.
Clint
Guest
I have to agree with DMW and Gregg here. Support for Robbo runs strong among Roosters supporters. It may not necessarily show up strongly on this site but it is there. SBW is a fantastic attacking player, but you overlook the defensive monster that the Roosters were this year. This comes down to Robbo's direction and influence. When the chooks were struggling to score points early in the season, they were still getting the wins on the back of their defence. Also, you say there's a big hole to fill when SBW goes but you've overlooked the attacking potential of players like Boyd Cordner (check out his try-a-game run before his injury), Aidan Guerra and Mitch Aubusson. Not to mention the tackling weapon that is Dylan Napa. I'm quietly confident that Robbo's got some depth to work with next year.
DR
Guest
Nonu was injured. Hence why SBW was required.
David Lord
Expert
Welcome DMW and Gregg, at last two Rooster fans have come out in strong support of their coach, instead of keeping it in-house. Good to see.
David
Guest
lets hope Polites signs him for at least 5 yrs so this side can challenge for a longer period than has been the case at Easts for the last 10 years- he has the side & unlike Stuart he CAN coach !!
Phil Coorey
Roar Pro
Agree, Madge is pretty low key as well - both are a breath of fresh air.
Gregg
Guest
David lord what planet are you on? You sound like phil rothfield... Every Roosters fan has been singing he's praises all year,much moe so than SBW! He got a bigger cheer than the players when the line up went up before kick off. However since you seem to get all your info from the media like the telegraph than of course SBW gets all the praise. What a ridiculous article.
Johnno
Guest
marketing. To blockbuster back to back tests, SBW would bring in last year. AB'S still would have won 2-0 last year vs wobblies, with or without SBW, a bloke called Ma Nonu would of been handy.
eagleJack
Guest
Just to even be in the squad was incredible. The ABs don't hand out jerseys for publicity like the Wallabies. It must be earned. He was a very large part of the reason why the Chiefs won in 2012. And the ABs management thought highly enough of him that they self insured themselves for NZD$1.2m just so that SBW could play a couple of Tests. They have never considered doing that for any other player before. But they needed him to play and that was the only way Panasonic would allow it to happen. SBW is no ordinary athlete. And he brings more to a side than just footballing ability.
Johnno
Guest
Agreed Souths defence at the highest level could be leaky this year. And Souths lacked a Plan B and were one dimensionial attack. I don't think this season's souths team would have comeback from 18-8, with 20 or so minutes to go in a GF. The Burgess factor gets overhyped don't need 4, and all similar players, like the whole team, roosters have more variety and more plan B's.And Trent Robinson gets some credit for that.
Johnno
Guest
eaglejack, SBW at RWC hardly turned the AB'S into gold.The bloke was left on the wing or on the bench most of the RWC. A 5 minute cameo in the final hardly was immortal material.
eagleJack
Guest
My point with Ricky Stuart is a valid one. He took the Roosters to 3 Grand Finals in his first 3 years. So talking up Robinson is way too premature. Lets see how he goes without SBW next year. The guy turns everything he touches to gold. While I agree it is somewhat simplistic to say they wouldn't have won on Sunday without him, he did provide the spark that opened Manly up. And he did that numerous times this year. His influence on the team was as great as Robinson's which is incredible. No doubt Robinson is a quality coach. But Hasler would still garner a higher bid at auction. Coaching is a marathon not a sprint.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Johnno Souths biggest problem before round 1 was poor defence in the centres and he never fixed that which ultimately cost them. Souths are also predictable and he should have played Keary at 6 and made Sutton a running back rower. The other problem he has is too many Burgesses, probably just need Sam and George. So in answer to your question "NO" he is not as good. His defence is not in the same class. Gus is not a coach anymore and he would be no good now as the game has changed. I think Des is fine, but he is not as good as the media say he is. Players tell me he has poor communication skills.
DMW
Guest
@DavidLord Have you considered that just perhaps theroar.com.au and the commercial media outlets are not the preferred source of Roosters news, views and fan exchanges ? Roosters fans are tired of the biased reporting of their club and the agenda driven journo's who seemingly know what's going on inside players heads and behind closed doors. This tide is certainly changing... Let me assure you as a Rooster's tragic, Coach Robinson knows just how much he is admired and respected by Roosters fans far and wide. But most importantly the coach has the respect of his players and he returns it in bucket loads. #backontop
Johnno
Guest
Scott Is Trent Robinson a better coach than Micheal Mcguire? Is Des Hasler a better coach than Gus Gould?