Sydney Roosters Head Coach Trent Robinson says his side is looking forward to their Round 12 clash against the Canberra Raiders, and is excited for his side to represent on the Central Coast during Indigenous Round.
As the NRL's annual Indigenous Round celebrations go underway, the Tricolours will be wearing their 2021 Indigenous Jersey, designed by artist and avid fan Jason Ridgeway, who the Roosters' mentor met following the devastating bushfires that tore through NSW in late 2019.
Robinson emphasised the importance of celebrating and acknowledging the world's longest-surviving culture and said his side is looking to do exactly that with an improved performance after their last round defeat.
“It’s a very important round,” he emphasised.
“I think it represents our admiration and our acknowledgement of the first nations peoples and their ownership of this land.
“There’s still work to be done on the reconciliation that needs to be done. Rugby League plays a part in saying ‘thank you’ and representing this weekend.
“We’re really proud of the Indigenous Jersey we will be wearing this weekend and the artist that provided the jersey.”
“We’re at that point where we need to improve on last week. We’re disappointed so we want to get on the front foot so whatever seventeen the Raiders put out we’re ready to play them.”
Coach's Media - Round 12
Travelling up to Gosford to host the Raiders at Central Coast Stadium and with two Central Coast products in the Roosters' line up this week, Robinson believes that it is a great opportunity to showcase the relationship between the Club and community.
“The Central Coast Roosters have had their best-ever year, winning some competitions in the country carnivals there and then the finals series," he said.
“It’s been a really good ten years there on the Central Coast. We’ve got Matt (Ikuvalu) and Adam (Keighran) from there.
"We’ve got younger guys that are starting to train with us from the Central Coast, so it’s good to go up there and represent this weekend.”
With both Victor Radley and Angus Crichton unavailable for selection this week after unsuccessful pleas at the NRL Judiciary, the three-time Premiership-winning coach elaborated that despite the disappointment of the result, his side needs to move on and place their focus to their Round 12 match against the Canberra Raiders.
“Our job is to adapt and play the game that’s in front of us. We need to do that," Robinson stated.
“The idea is on track as far as reducing head highs and concussions. They aren’t completely aligned so you’ve got to separate those arguments a bit. I’ve said my piece, they’ve (NRL) held the line and the game is what it is at the moment.
“We tried to appeal that the other night and we weren’t successful. We have been in the past, but we’ll get on with it."
We’ve got younger guys that are starting to train with us from the Central Coast, so it’s good to go up there and represent this weekend.
Trent Robinson Roosters Head Coach
Robinson also gave a timely update on Sam Walker and Drew Hutchison, who have both been under injury clouds over the past few weeks.
“Sam’s been really good," he confirmed.
“He did his AC joint at the start of the year, and we thought we were over it but then he did it against Newcastle and then rolled his ankle. It’s been physically quite tough, but it’s a good lesson for him. We love the way he plays, but he’s just got to keep it up.
“Drew went back in hospital again after his lung collapsed for the third time. It’s been a pretty rugged time for Drew but his recovery time should still be quite quick, but he needed an operation to help that lung stay inflated.”
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