Trent Robinson isn’t used to this. His Roosters side sit in tenth on the NRL ladder at the halfway point of the season, the lowest position they have occupied since the annus horribilis of 2016.
It’s not just on the field, too. The drama surrounding gun youngster Joseph Suaalii’s move to rugby union, Sam Walker’s demotion from the first grade squda and the saga surrounding Jason Ryles’ departure from the coaching staff.
Add in the aftermath of the Rugby League World Cup, where they had 12 players competing at the quarter final stage, and it all adds up to what the coach referred to as an ‘indifferent’ season for the Tricolours.
Yet with Penrith set to roll up to Allianz Stadium for Saturday night’s blockbuster clash, there is a feeling that the corner might have been turned.
It was this game last year, in Round 16, that kickstarted their drive to the Finals: even though the Roosters lost that night at the foot of the mountains, it was their best showing of the year to date and sparked an eight-game winning run that was only ended by South Sydney in the post-season.
“I feel like we’ve had some really good wins and then we had three weeks where we were ready to play and got three (defeats) on the bounce,” said Robinson.
“It’s been an interesting season working out combinations and lots of different movement around there. I’ve really liked the rock solid nature of the crew: digging in in training, backing the way that we want to play the game.
“It’s the middle point of the year and as far as wins and losses, you’d want a few more, but as far as freshness, attitude, all of that, we’re on track.”
Robinson got a week off before Origin 1 to stew on the to the Panthers, Cowboys and Dragons, time which he said was important in bringing the playing group together to overcome the noise that was surrounding the club and refocus on their path.
The coach said that the constant chatter had been both a positive and a negative for his group, with the net result being that it will strengthen the squad.
“It hasn’t been (positive) because it’s been a lot, and if you don’t win, then it’ll be a lot and more around here,” he explained.
“But eventually it’s got to the point where it’s sharpened our focus. The bye was really important.
GOSFORD, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 04: James Tedesco of the Roosters is tackled by Josh Addo-Carr of the Bulldogs during the round 14 NRL match between Sydney Roosters and Canterbury Bulldogs at Central Coast Stadium on June 04, 2023 in Gosford, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
“The last time we played (against the Bulldogs last Sunday) and even part way through the St George game, we started to move. We had the bye week and saw good indications of that last weekend.
“Now we have to keep that momentum going, ride that wave and keep moving in the direction we want to head.
“Opinions have been strong this year on how we’re going, but we’ve been pretty clear on what we want from ourselves and the extra noise has helped that get really clear for us. It’s been so much that we’ve actually reduced the noise the more it’s come.
“We’re getting much clearer about the way that we’re playing and tomorrow, it’s another important step.”
The chance to get one back on the Panthers, who humbled the Chooks a month ago in Penrith, was a line in the sand for Robinson.
“There was some honest truths after that game, as there should be,” he said. “Then the talking stopped and you have to put it into action, which we try to do daily.
“You try to stack it one on each other and get to the point where you get improvement out of your on and off field behaviours. We’ve improved that and the way to prove that tomorrow.”
Walker will not be part of that this weekend – he is still in a knee brace – and neither will Suaalii, who begins a three week suspension after copping a ban for a raised knee while carrying the football.
Joseph Suaalii . (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Robinson said that, while he didn’t want his player suspended, he had used the week proactively to force his young star into taking a rest, asking him not to train.
“He trains a lot,” said the coach. “We told him not to train this week. We said ‘go and have a few days off, take a breath and we’ll see you at the game and next week’. It’s been good.
“He’s as diligent as I’ve seen in my whole career as far as preparation and training, so it was good to say to stay away for a few days.
“He’s slightly different, but trying to work out how to play and perform each week is a learning right up until yours thirties, for some players, but there’s usually a lightbulb there. His method is to work really hard and be really meticulous, one of the first in and last out and all of that.
“For those guys, it’s good to take a breath. Some guys need to get in and work harder, some need to get away. For him, that was the right method.
“Sometimes you need to give permission to take a rest. Physically, he’s young so he doesn’t often need it. It’s disappointing him getting three weeks, but to go and take a few days is going to be important.”
As for Tedesco’s drama, Robinson was baffled at the lack of support his captain received after the Blues’ defeat in Game 1 of State of Origin.
“It was surprising, and then I was surprised by the lack of support as well on the other end,” he said.
“For someone to deliver so much and then get questioned. But in the end, does it really matter? He got asked to perform on Sunday and he did, and he’ll get asked to perform tomorrow. You can’t overspeak that.
“People are always going to have an opinion and whatever agenda is behind it you be really pure and say ‘I believe in somebody else’ or it could be weighted because of club preferences or who is involved.
“Everyone usually has a finger in a pie at some club. It can be pure, it can be biased, but at the end, it’s performance that counts and he’s performed for years. They questioned him, he performed, and now he had to go again. That’s the only way to do it.”
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