Whitehead, Robinson trade jabs after Roosters vs. Raiders

Sydney Roosters’ NRL finals odds took a massive blow on Sunday in their 12-14 loss to Raiders. The Roosters lost star hooker Brandon Smith and halfback Sam Walker. Smith specifically went out following a hip drop tackle from Canberra captain Elliott Whitehead. Sydney head coach Trent Robinson and Whitehead have gotten into a public spat over the issue.  

“It’s too many times” 

Whitehead and Robinson’s beef started during the match after Walker went off the pitch. The Canberra captain went over to the Roosters bench to ask how Walker was doing. Robinson was having none of it.  
 
“He came up and wanted to ask how Brandon was and I just said it’s too many times,” the Roosters boss explained.  
 
“The hip drop has been pretty common in his game for a long time and I just said it’s too many times and that it’s cost us a player. That was it. He said it was an accident and I said well it’s too many times” 
 
When asked about what he meant by “too many times”, Robinson went on to insinuate that Whitehead is a dirty player with a reputation for hip drop tackles.  
 
“He’s (Whitehead has) done it a lot in his career, so it’s been pretty common if you go and have a look,” Robinson said.  
 
“I 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.” 
 
Roosters are still third favourite in the NRL betting odds to win the Premiership. PlayUp has them at $6.00, ahead of Sharks at $11.00 and behind Panthers at $3.10. However, we wouldn’t be surprised to see them drift closer to Cronulla after suffering such terrible injuries to key players over the weekend.  

Whitehead apologises 

While Robinson came out firing in his press conference, Whitehead immediately apologised to Walker.  
 
“Obviously I didn’t mean to (hurt) Brandon. I know he’s come up with a bad injury and I’m sorry to him for that,” Whitehead said.  
 
He then took a shot at Robinson and expressed his frustration with the entire situation.  
 
“ I just wasn’t happy with the way I went up to ask about Brandon and apologise and Trent Robinson has had a go at me and turned on me. The way he did that, I thought it was out of order. I don’t know what he said in his media if he’s done if he’s yet but yeah look, I’m sorry to Brandon.” 

“Get him off the field” 

As for his other sin bin, which Robinson also criticised, Whitehead was not apologetic at all.  
 
“Regarding the other sin bin, I don’t know if you know the rules or if I don’t know the rules, I was trying to stop an offload. I didn’t strike him in any malicious way but whatever, I don’t care,” the Raiders skipper said.  
 
Whitehead then posted a video of the incident to his Instagram account with the caption “Get him off the field” along with two laughing emojis.  

Canberra Raiders head to the Netstrata Jubilee Stadium next Saturday to take on St. George Illawarra Dragons for the final match of their 2024 NRL season.