Forget Jarryd Hayne, Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has more pressing concerns on his mind.
Robinson cast a despondent figure following his team’s humbling 26-6 NRL loss to Gold Coast on Monday.
The defeat leaves the Roosters second-last on the competition ladder, just one win clear of hapless Newcastle.
Robinson says he has no idea about reports linking former Parramatta flyer Hayne with his club following his shock retirement from the NFL.
And frankly, he is more worried about the players that are at the Roosters.
Worries over the Roosters poor start to the year were always tempered by the absence of key players such as Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Mitchell Pearce – but despite both being back in the fold it seems little had changed at the Titans.
“There wasn’t that ‘I’ll do anything to win that play’ and that’s really disappointing,” Robinson said.
“Especially where we’re sitting and we did look flat with the ball, we didn’t have much and then when we did get some we should have created a bit more.
“It was pretty frustrating.”
Robinson says it is up to himself, his coaching staff and every player in his squad to turn the Roosters season around, starting with Sunday’s clash with Canterbury at ANZ Stadium.
“It’s as much down to me as it is the senior players, I’ve got to make sure I take the responsibility for that,” he said.
“We’re the only ones who can fix this … it feels like we had some positive feedback after our last game and were like ‘we’ll be right, we’ve got our leaders back’, it doesn’t work like that.
“That’s not how footy teams work.”
Marvel
Guest
How can Hayne he is no knowledge of what he is paid??? After the Storm and other fiascos, how could a player not know where the money comes from and what has been cleared. RL players cry foul when their 3rd party deals fall through so how can he not know?? Bizarre...
Mac
Guest
Yea Ferguson and everybody else bar Cordner has been rubbish all year...
Red Dog
Guest
Against a reserve grade Kiwi backline that put him under no pressure to defend .
Roostermark
Guest
Ferguson and Guerra aren't even first grade standard they are just plain horrible.
Red Dog
Guest
You are correct , Cordner is the exception .
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
Hi Red Dog. I would agree but would add that what also makes matters worse is between now and the finals the Roosters play Brisbane twice, Melbourne twice, Cronulla twice and North Queensland once. So 7 of their remaining 14 games are against top 4 sides. That's gotta hurt.
Jaws
Guest
Fergusson was great for Australia and will make the blues side despite his average form for the Roosters.
Benny
Guest
Cordner does. And so does Napa but he won't be playing. Agree otherwise though. Guerra and Fergo have been horrible. And Pearce, despite my belief that he is actually the best halfback in NSW, is not ready to go straight back into SOO
Red Dog
Guest
The Roosters are mentally shattered after the poor conversion rate of the last few years , it's gunna take a few wins in a row to change that ,but if they play like they did last night that ain't gunna happen. What will make matters worse if they still have 4 or 5 players selected to play origin . No Rooster player deserves a Blue or Maroon jumper this year .