Sydney Roosters Head Coach Trent Robinson says he is looking forward to travelling up the M1 to face the Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium tomorrow, backing Sandon Smith’s ability to compliment Luke Keary in the new-look halves pairing.
Despite last week’s loss and the omission of Origin stars James Tedesco and Lindsay Collins, the three-time Premiership-winning coach is confident that the Roosters will rise to the occasion when they meet the Knights for the only time in 2023.
Robinson: 'We're Confident In Our Style'
“The challenge is right there, we’re looking forward to it,” Robinson said.
“We get to go up the road on a Saturday afternoon in front of a crowd that loves their footy and the Roosters will be ready to go.
“We really have belief in our style of play, we have belief in the players that have come in and now it’s time to show it, that’s what we want to do tomorrow.”
Robinson has named 20-year-old Smith to start on-field for his third NRL match, partnering Keary in the halves with Joseph Manu shifting to fullback. The coach expects the Central Coast junior to play his natural game, doing his job for the team.
“He’s a natural talent when it comes to his speed and his vision but he has worked hard,” he said.
“He has worked hard for a long time for this and I’m not expecting the world from him, I’m expecting him to do his job and support the guys around him, direct them around and then take on the line when it’s his opportunity.
“Keep it really simple, there’s no expectations on him. Just to go out there and all the hard work that’s gone in over years … go and lay it on the line.
“Luke’s going to play his game like he has, I feel like he’s really been driving us and doing that, obviously Sandon brings the addition of kicking game but we’re really confident.
“It’s not about the last couple of weeks, but years of watching him in our full-time system.
“I’m looking forward to him getting out there and seeing him and Luke run as a tag team.”
The Tricolours leader gave positive updates on Brandon Smith and Sam Walker, who have both taken a step forward in their respective rehabilitation processes.
“Brandon’s two to three weeks away, they’ll protect that for another week or ten days and then he’ll be ready to go.”
“Sam is out of the brace, he has started his running and strengthening there, that’s a real positive… once he’s ready to go, he’ll be in.”
Robinson believes Saturday’s Round 16 fixture serves as the perfect opportunity for the squad to show their passion and perseverance in the absence of their Origin stars.
“I want to continually see the Roosters pull on the jersey and fight to play their footy… guys that are going to go after the game but also have the freedom to play their style,” he said.
“The harder you work, the luckier you get, so [we’ll] keep training well.
“You’re honest in your review about where you’re at and the systems you put in place on and off the field about working hard.
“We’ll keep stacking performances day in and day out and then we’ll get the results that we deserve.”