Trent Robinson has dismissed suggestions from Wayne Bennett that his team doesn’t take head knocks seriously, saying he was comfortable with the protocols in place.
“I’m really at peace with the way that we deal with our players,” Robinson told reporters today.
“Whatever commentary there is around it, I know how we look after players, I know how we treat HIAs (head injury assessments), I know how we deal with players in-game, and after-game.”
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The Roosters lost both Victor Radley and Billy Smith during their first-up loss to Newcastle, with Robinson questioning the independent doctor process.
“We’re not a team that cheats the system,” he said today.
“We’re not one of the reasons that they had to change the rules.”
The coach’s response came after Wayne Bennett appeared on Triple M radio earlier this week.
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“I thought when I heard about the Bunker being used, I just giggled to myself and thought this is only going to create more controversy,” Bennett told Triple M’s Rush Hour with Leisel, Liam and Dobbo.
“I’m not blaming the game for this, I’m blaming the clubs. The game is trying to protect the game, the clubs are there to protect the players.”
Bennett lashed NRL clubs for what he percieved as a lack of duty of care.
“Look at Victor Radley, anyone who saw that incident knew he was knocked out,” Bennett said.
“I’ve seen enough players go down with concussion, and he was certainly concussed at the time.”
The Roosters will look to put that Round 1 upset loss behind them on Friday night, when they take on the Manly Sea Eagles.
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