Roosters admit hate for Souths, but focus on main goal
Scott Bailey |
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson says he has not had to tell his players to keep their cool against South Sydney, despite talking up the genuine football hatred between the two clubs.
A win on Friday night will be enough to send the Roosters to next week’s finals, a remarkable feat given last year’s mass exodus of experienced players.
A loss would leave them sweating on the Dolphins losing to Canberra, while Manly could also qualify if they flog the Warriors and the Roosters are thumped.
Regardless, this Roosters-Rabbitohs clash comes with extra spice, beyond the usual theatrics of the NRL’s oldest rivalry that dates back to 1908.
A turf war continues to rumble over the Rabbitohs’ desire to return to Allianz Stadium, with the Roosters supporting the NSW Government’s stance to block the move.
Souths have this week attempted to kick the Roosters out of junior training grounds at Matraville Sports High, concerned it is helping the Tricolours poach their local juniors.
The Brandon Smith saga has also implicated both clubs after the Rabbitohs hooker was charged over alleged drug supply and insider-information for betting purposes.
Smith was at the Roosters as recently as earlier this year and is accused of attempting to supply to former teammate Victor Radley in June.
There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Radley.
Clashes between the Roosters and Rabbitohs have boiled over in the past, most famously in the 2022 finals when seven players were sin-binned.
Robinson suggested on Friday the “hate and anger” between the clubs was good for the game, in the way it extended off the field as well.
But despite the Rabbitohs having little to play for other than spoiling the Roosters’ season, Robinson said he did not have to caution his players about being drawn into the drama.
“Sometimes you have to talk to them about that,” Robinson said.
“I haven’t because … you get a feel about your team early in the week, their feel and they have a clear vision on what is important this week.
“There is a pure focus on the team and our style of play. And how we want to play is more important than a short-term emotion around how I feel.
“It’s a bit bigger than that. We need to go and prove that.”
Likewise, Robinson said he knew players would not get carried away trying to go after their former teammate Smith.
“We’re not robots when we go out there but it’s not the driving force,” Robinson said.
“In the end, the prize is so much bigger than putting a shot on a guy. That’s not how it works. People like contests, but the purpose is much greater than that for us.”
AAP
