Angry Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson hopes a monster seven-game suspension generally is a line within the sand second for veteran prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves who will likely be joined on the sidelines by injured star Joseph Manu for his or her must-win match in opposition to South Sydney.
Waerea-Hargreaves was suspended for 2 separate incidents out of final week’s win over the Wests Tigers for a late excessive shot on Api Koroisau which he fought on the judiciary, after which a headbutt on Stefano Utoikamanu.
The 34-year-old will now miss a whopping seven video games which guidelines him out of this yr’s finals sequence ought to his aspect qualify, whereas he’ll additionally miss a piece of the 2024 marketing campaign until the Roosters apply to the NRL and argue that he would have been picked for New Zealand’s finish of season Tests.
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The 298-game veteran has at all times performed on the sting of the regulation, and 5 prices this season and a pricey suspension have angered his coach given they might have liked to have him on the sector in opposition to their fiercest rivals.
“I am (angry). I think it‘s only natural to be that way,” Robinson mentioned of his fiery prop who was additionally sin-binned and suspended when the Roosters performed the Rabbitohs within the finals final yr.
“That doesn‘t change the way that I think about him or the care that I have for him. But of course you’re angry because you represent the club and we’re all fighting for something. And for him not to be there to be a part of that is disappointing.
“It‘s a disappointing way for him to finish the season. The impact on our club hasn’t been great.”
Queensland star Lindsay Collins should step up because the chief of the pack simply as Dylan Napa did in 2016 with one of many nice performances in opposition to a star-studded South Sydney pack, however there’s solely a lot he can do with out his front-row companion.
It’s why Robinson is so disillusioned along with his high canine who was sin binned for the mind snap when his aspect was effectively in entrance in opposition to a workforce that can end final.
“It’s seven weeks, so you’d like to think (it’s a line in the sand moment),” he mentioned.
“That was unnecessary. Last weekend, it didn’t need to happen in the context of the game.
“His intimidation is an important part of the game, and people enjoy watching that, but that didn’t feel like it was one of those moments. Seven weeks is a quarter of a season. It’s a long time.
“We’ve had our space at the beginning of the week and we’ve had some small chats, but we haven’t had our time yet.”
It’s one more blow for the Roosters who will likely be with out famous person Joseph Manu after he was formally dominated out of Friday’s blockbuster.
While skipper James Tedesco has been cleared to return from a head knock, Manu received’t play after he suffered a grade one hamstring pressure in final week’s win over the Wests Tigers.
Losing the Golden Boot winner is a large setback given they need to win and hope outcomes go their manner if they’re to have any probability of sneaking into the highest eight, however Robinson says Manu is on the market ought to they make the finals.
“He’s pretty good. He ran the AlterG the other day, but I don’t think he’ll get there,” Robinson mentioned, revealing the membership made the choice on Wednesday to rule Manu out.
“It’s too short. I was probably concerned after the game because as soon as you come off with a hammy injury it’s unlikely that you’re going to come through and get into the game.
“He won’t play.”
Corey Allan will change him at proper centre in opposition to his former membership, with the Roosters needing to win and hope outcomes go their strategy to sneak into the finals after a robust end to the yr.
A win may additionally knock their neighbours out of finals competition, however Robinson says that’s not their focus.
“They’re always big. I think the context around it makes it really exciting because winner takes all is pretty clear, and it just happens to be us on the last day of the regular season,” he mentioned.
“It’s pretty clear that it’s a big one, but whether it’s the biggest is debatable, but it’s the biggest one we need to think about this week.
“We could be playing Camden Rams this week for a spot in the finals and it wouldn’t make a difference in terms of opposition. The prize has been pretty clear for us for a month that we needed to keep winning.
“There’s no difference tomorrow night – it just so happens to be a great story and rivalry, but a lot of that is external.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
