Sydney Roosters Head Coach Trent Robinson says he is pleased with his side's spirit as well as the development of the younger squad members ahead of the Tricolours' clash with the Cowboys on Saturday night.
The Roosters' mentor also spoke about his advocacy of the Magic Round concept, the return of Lachlan Lam to the side, as well as the progression of rookie duo Tuku Hau Tapuha and Joseph Suaalii.
Despite being without a consistent line up throughout season 2021, Robinson says he is looking for his men to translate their confidence into their performances as a focus of their game heading into Magic Round against the Cowboys.
“It definitely has been," Robinson said.
“You can see we’re really confident in the strength of our team and we’ve gone really young in the 9, 7, 6 which really shifts the dynamic because they’re in control of a lot of the decisions.
“That’s one of the things that will continue to grow each week and the longer the season goes we must be and we will get better at that. It’s been our first long turnaround in quite a few weeks so you get some more training time and that has been important for us.
Coach's Media - Round 10
“They’ve been more stable. For us, we’ve highlighted some things where we think we can take advantage of. It’s about us continuing to play with the spirit we’ve been playing with and then layering on better decisions and more quality week-on-week.
“I feel like we’ve been doing that, but this time of year you especially want to see some growth in your team and we want to continue to see that on Saturday."
In a positive for the Red, White and Blue, local junior and young five-eighth Lachlan Lam makes his return to the side and line up in the halves on the weekend, in what Robinson says is a timely return.
“It’s quite timely with Drew (Hutchison) not playing for a few weeks that Lachie was right to come back in and get back into it," he said.
“Lachie has developed well over the years. He’s a Roosters junior with the Clovelly Crocodiles and he’s come into first-grade and into this pre-season owning that role with Luke (Keary).
“It’s been swings and roundabouts for us but it will be good to get the halves moving there."
The Roosters Head Coach was also quizzed on the debut of front rower Tuku Hau Tapuha, who became Rooster #1201, as well as the chances of Joseph Suaalii making his first NRL appearance this weekend.
“Tuks has worked really hard," Robinson said.
“He’s a big man, he’s a physical man and he spent last year in the bubble training with us and preparing well.
“He’s worked really hard so it was good to give him that opportunity. There’s a big future ahead of him and we’ll continue to develop him.
“Joseph is getting close, it won’t be long. The way that he’s trained and prepared, he’s ready to play so it won’t be far away but we’ve still got to see if it will be this week."
It’s about us continuing to play with the spirit we’ve been playing with and then layering on better decisions and more quality week-on-week. We want to continue to see that on Saturday.
Trent Robinson Sydney Roosters Head Coach
With the second annual Magic Round being held in Brisbane as all 16 NRL teams play at Suncorp Stadium throughout the weekend, Robinson praised the concept which originated from his tenure in the Super League.
“I love Magic Round,” he said.
“I got to experience it in Super League the two years we played at Millennium Stadium and then Etihad Stadium. It was a really good fan concept.
“For teams going out and staying in hotels and having awkward conversations with other competitors, that’s the nature of it. But as far as the fans going to Brisbane and being able to go to one stadium and watch their team and other teams, it’s awesome.
“For the one round of the year, it’s an awesome concept."
More on Roosters.com.au
The Rooster Revolution: How We Found Our Emblem
The Roosters Crow: Bringing the Magic to Brisbane
No Excuses as Captain Teddy Looks to Improve for Gutsy Roosters
