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Trent Robinson cops backlash over Roosters coach's post-match clash with Elliott Whitehead

Robinson took exception to Whitehead's tackle that ended Brandon Smith's season.

ben talintyre
Sports Reporter
·4-min read

Elliott Whitehead says Roosters coach Trent Robinson was "out of order" for not accepting his post-match apology for the tackle that injured hooker Brandon Smith. According to Phil Rothfield, Smith ruptured his ACL after his leg got caught awkwardly in a tackle with the Raiders skipper. He will need to undergo surgery, putting him out for the remainder of the 2024 NRL season and likely the start of the 2025 campaign.

"I’ve got an update and it’s terrible news for the Roosters, late last night they were informed Brandon Smith had actually done his ACL,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast on Monday morning. The Canberra captain was sent to the sin bin for the hip-drop tackle on Smith during the first half of the Raiders' 14-12 win.

Pictured L-R: Trent Robinson, tackle on Brandon Smith and Elliott Whitehead
Elliott Whitehead said Roosters coach Trent Robinson was "out of order" for not accepting his apology. Image: Getty/Fox NRL/Getty

After not only losing the game - which will potentially cost them a home final in the first week - Robinson also has to deal with the loss of Smith, Victor Radley (shoulder) and Sam Walker (knee) for the season after the trio all picked up serious injuries. And when Whitehead approached Robinson to apologise for his tackle after the game on Sunday, the Roosters coach wasn't in a forgiving mood.

"I went over to ask about Brandon and Trent Robinson's had a go at me," Whitehead said. "I went to apologise, and he's turned on me, so the way he's done that I thought (he) was out of order. I didn't mean to do Brandon. I know he's come up with a bad injury and stuff, and I'm sorry to him for that."

Robinson was asked about the confrontation with Whitehead after the match and he sensationally accused the Canberra skipper of commonly using the dangerous hip drop tackle. β€œHe came up and wanted to ask how Brandon was, and I just said it’s too many times,” Robinson said.

"The hip-drop's been pretty common in his game for a long time, and I just said it's too many times. It's cost us a player. That was it. He said it was an accident, and I just said 'Look, you've done it too many times'. That was it."

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When Robinson was asked to clarify what he meant, the Roosters coach doubled down on his claims that the Raiders skipper regularly uses the outlawed tackle. β€œYeah. He’s done it a lot in his career, so it’s been pretty common if you go and have a look,” he said.

β€œI like Elliott. I’ve watched him since he played for Bradford and Catalans but it’s been pretty common. I know he’s opened it up here which is why we’re talking about it and I wouldn’t want to usually talk to you guys about it but he opened it up and it’s been really common in his game his whole career.”

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 01: Brandon Smith of the Roosters is helped off the field with an injury during the round 26 NRL match between Sydney Roosters and Canberra Raiders at Allianz Stadium, on September 01, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Brandon Smith ruptured his ACL and will need to undergo surgery, putting him out for the remainder of the 2024 season. Image: Getty

However, in the past two years, Whitehead has only been charged with grade-one offences. And many fans and pundits called out Robinson for his character assassination of Whitehead.

Andrew Voss led the charge on Monday stating Robinson's comments were out of line. "This is a 400-gamer and Trent Robinson has assassinated him. I hate the term serial offender. He chose his words poorly. "I don't think that's right to say that about Whitehead. The Raiders have every right to be angry at the Roosters." And social media agreed, calling out the coach's poor behaviour and telling him to look in his own backyard before taking aim at other players.

The season-ending injury to Roosters halfback Walker means the third-placed Roosters will need to defy history to win the premiership. Moving forward Sandon Smith is set to partner Luke Keary in the halves in Walker's absence.

But in the history of the NRL, no side has ever won a grand final without their first-choice halfback. However, despite the horror blow, Robinson is still confident that his side can take out the premiership.

"We've got a squad for that reason. You guys don't get to see them always, but you've got to believe in who's coming next," Robinson said. "So let's go, let's get excited about moving on to next week."

with AAP