For the first time in years, the Sydney Roosters aren’t being widely tipped to win the NRL title.
All the talk is about arch rivals South Sydney, the Panthers going one better and even a Cameron Smith-less Storm going back to back.
But the only team in the NRL era to win premierships in successive seasons? Few are talking about them in terms of title contenders.
“Yeah, I reckon I have [noticed it],” Roosters coach Trent Robinson said. “I definitely have, and you put it in the same spot as all external bits – you observe it, but it makes no difference on how you’re going to attack the season and what your expectations are of yourself. Externally, people will have their opinion – and that’s fine. That’s our game. [But] I believe in our team.”
The Roosters will start the year with Luke Keary shifting to No.7 and partnering the patient Lachlan Lam in the halves for their first-round clash against the Sea Eagles at the SCG on Saturday evening.
Asked about the lack of hype around the Roosters’ title credentials, Keary said: “We don’t take much notice of what people think is going to happen, whether they think we’ll be good or bad. To be honest, I’m really not sure [how to take it].”
Trent Robinson said he is aware few are tipping the Roosters for this year’s title.Credit:Getty
But what his coach is much more certain about is Cooper Cronk’s ongoing role with the club, following accusations he was on former club Melbourne’s payroll having been photographed helping at Storm training last week. Cronk had briefly attended a session to work with halves Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster before a corporate engagement with Melbourne.
Cronk also holds a one-day-a-week role with the Roosters, where he works on video with Robinson and his players, who are also benefiting from the addition of Sonny Bill Williams to the club’s support staff.
