Sydney Roosters Head Coach Trent Robinson says he is looking forward to taking on the Canberra Raiders this Thursday night in Mackay, and has given a fitting tribute to retiring veteran Josh Morris.
The three-time Premiership winning coach gave some insight into Joseph Manu's recovery and was happy to confirm that a number of players return to the side in time for the final match of the season.
“He’s recovering from surgery so he’s still quite swollen but he’s in good spirits,” Robinson said of Manu.
“He’s back around playing his music and supporting the guys. He’s still a little bit sore, it’s only been three or four days but he’s good. The face recovers quickly; surgery is done with and he’s ready to get into full recovery.
“To get Jared (Waerea-Hargreaves), Angus (Crichton) and Josh (Morris) back and Adam Keighran allows those edges to form some consistent shape there. Matt Ikuvalu coming back there on the wing, it just gets the balance right.
“Now it’s time to drive home those combinations tomorrow night.”
Coach's Media - Round 25
A veteran of the game for fifteen seasons, champion centre Josh Morris announced he will retire from the code at the conclusion of 2021, and Robinson was full of praise for the 35-year-old and shared his unique strategy against him whenever he opposed the Roosters.
“He’ll be remembered as a prototype centre,” he said of Morris
“The way that he’s played and dominated that centre role both in attack and defence over such a long period of time; he has attacked and brought about physicality but also how he played that defensive role.
“He’s been so hard to attack against for such a long time period of time and he’s done it until he’s 35 – he should be congratulated. He works depending on the opposition, depending on the individual, depending on the shape, it’s that experience and that’s why he’s a prototype centre.
“I had to buy him, the best to attack him was to have him on your team! He’s always locked down an edge and I remember for so long it was difficult to work out how to pull him apart because he’s got a couple of different systems.
“It was such a class act to see him talk the other day as well on his retirement, it was really really impressive to see a man stand there and just deliver what he needed to say from the heart.”
Taking on the Canberra Raiders this week, the Tricolours' mentor fondly looked back on the newfound rivalry, while also expressing his excitement in returning to Rugby League-mad Mackay.
He’s been so hard to attack against for such a long time period of time and he’s done it until he’s 35 – he should be congratulated. He works depending on the opposition, depending on the individual, depending on the shape, it’s that experience and that’s why he’s a prototype centre.
Trent Robinson On Josh Morris' career
“There’s a love of the game between the two clubs,” he said of the rivalry.
“They absolutely love to play Rugby League and it’s a tussle. They like to play a physical game and all players enjoy the contest. There have been some big battles and there’s no love lost there, but there’s a pure love for the game that builds respect between the two.
“This will be our third game in a few years, obviously the second one this year up there and there must be a reason why they’re sending us back to these regions – their love of footy.
“We loved playing up there last time and we hope it continues. We’re playing in Queensland, and we understand that means the Gold Coast, Brisbane and North Queensland, but there’s a lot of areas in between that love and deserve their Rugby League.
“It’s great that we can support that.”
Josh Morris Retirement Press Conference
Robinson also made mention of the Club's most recent debutant in Moala Graham-Taufa, who played in the final two minutes of last week's match as 18th man, and elaborated on his recent role down on the sideline.
“He was 18th man and then debuted, which was great for him," Robinson said of Graham-Taufa.
“I wanted to get him on the field, I wanted him to get that taste and get as many guys a taste of NRL as possible. He’s in our squad again next year and we really want to keep pushing him to improve.
"That’s why up here, he has become twice the player in this environment and hanging around guys like Daniel Tupou who’s spent a lot of time with him.
“I’ve been down a few times; depending on the game scenario, depending on the age of the team and what’s needed. I’ve done it overseas as well, I’ve done it with under 20's.
“From the box is strategic coaching, you give tactical and strategic information down to the sideline. When you’ve got a really young bench and guys who have come on and off who have played between zero, one or two games, then there’s a discussion that can help with that.”
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