The effect of Trent Robinson's departure?

[Geohood]

Ripped from another forum, thought it was an interesting read and video.

Last year Trent Robinson was Brian Smith's assistant coach, and he was a very hands on influence over the players. They respected him enoormously.

Last November TR moved to France to coach the Catalans Dragons in Super League. Robinson was handed a team that had run dead last under a former international five eighth but an incompetent coach (sound familiar?) named Kevin Walters. Robinson took with him two forwards Lopini Paea and Jason Baiteiri from the Roosters, a utility back who is an ex-Newcastle junior, named Ben Farrar, from Manly, as well as Farrar's mate from Newcastle reserves, scrum half Scott Dureau.

The news is that, after a bad slow start, with the players struggling to adjust to Robinson's new coaching, the Catalans started to gel in round 8 (sound familiar?). Scott Dureau has turned into a master scrum half, ranked no 1 in the league. Now Catalans have gone from last to fifth, equal on points but behind on for and against, with St Helens. Since the team started to fire on all cylinders it has beaten last years champions (now second placed) Wigan both home and away, and current leaders Warrington away. Robinson is regarded as the rookie coach of the year in Super League. The Catalans are playing exactly the open expansive game that the Roosters played in 2010. They are the most popular team among neutral fans in Britain.

I am afraid that Trent Robinson may have been the real reason that the Roosters did so well last year. Without his guiding hand, the club cannot perform under Brian Smith.

I forgot to mention that Robinson got the club also to buy center Darrel Millard formerly Wakefield and previously from Canterbury Bulldogs, and Beaver Menzies (in headgear) . At age 37 Beaver is carving them up.


Now spend five minutes to watch the Catalans Dragons (in the white) crushing Castleford (tan) with the same kind of beautiful attacking play that the Roosters were playing in 2010.


First Catalans try is scored by Beaver. Second is by Lopini Paea. But the highlight is the third Catalan try of the first half (end to end and side to side) where Millard makes a 50 yard run down the left before passing to his left winger Vaccari inside, and the ball spins to the right through many hands till the try is scored by right winger Damien Blanch. Vintage Roosters 2010.


Watch also two other Catalan tries in the second half where the ball spins out wide through many hands, and the centre Millard gets a break down the left flank, streaks away and draws the last defender before passing to winger Freddie Vaccari who scores.

[elo]

These guys are well coached, excellent support play.

Trent in, Brian out.

[mightyrooster]

I think Trent Robinson is a big loss, but I also think the way the NRL is being refereed this year means that type of expansive attack simply isn't working this year. Brian was coaching the team to play that way but we are just getting smashed in attack because the game this year is all about the grind, slowing down the play the ball and having defenders off-side and in your face. We just haven't adjusted to that and don't have the forward power or mentallity to stay with the grind. This is why we make so many mistakes as we keep trying to play expansive which is too high risk under the current refereeing interpretations. Just my two cents worth.

[Guest]

I think Trent Robinson is a big loss, but I also think the way the NRL is being refereed this year means that type of expansive attack simply isn't working this year. Brian was coaching the team to play that way but we are just getting smashed in attack because the game this year is all about the grind, slowing down the play the ball and having defenders off-side and in your face. We just haven't adjusted to that and don't have the forward power or mentallity to stay with the grind. This is why we make so many mistakes as we keep trying to play expansive which is too high risk under the current refereeing interpretations. Just my two cents worth.

I think it is pretty well agreed that we are weaker in our coaching staff this year - hence the hiring of Elliott.

You are right though, the "cleaning up" of the ruck has slowed the game down significantly, working for teams with big boppers who can dominate up the middle and against teams with expansive play. We should have adjusted much better to the rule changes because last years style of play (and what is happening in Super League) doesn't work in the NRL this year.

[mightyrooster]

the "cleaning up" of the ruck has slowed the game down significantly, working for teams with big boppers who can dominate up the middle and against teams with expansive play. We should have adjusted much better to the rule changes because last years style of play (and what is happening in Super League) doesn't work in the NRL this year.

That's what I was trying to say. In other words, even if we still had Robinson, the style of football he is coaching in Super league would not work here as Smith has already been coaching it and it's failing. But we have still missed his input as he seemed to have a good rapport with the players and was a good counter-balance to Smith. Whereas from all reports Costin is not at all popular.

[Guest]

That's what I was trying to say. In other words, even if we still had Robinson, the style of football he is coaching in Super league would not work here as Smith has already been coaching it and it's failing. But we have still missed his input as he seemed to have a good rapport with the players and was a good counter-balance to Smith. Whereas from all reports Costin is not at all popular.

Sounds about right.

Still, Smith is head coach and he should have done a better job at adjusting to the new rules (and picking his assistants).

[Guest]

'Still, Smith is head coach and he should have done a better job at adjusting to the new rules (and picking his assistants)."

wasnt that fittlers excuse as well_another wooden spoon awaits us

[melon....]

And to top things off we have Mr Chechin this weekend.

[Guest]

Good research, Comps are very different though, im sick of the NRL how players get to lay all over the player for like 8 seconds its messing the game up and Cam Smith is the worst.
But we need to cut the dead wood bring in new staff and create a dynasty like the Storm and like the Roosters of old.

[Kramer]

I'd have him back in a heartbeat.

It is right, what is being said about the ruck and the off side play, particularly by Storm, Dragon, and to a lesser extent, Broncos and Sharks, but they all do it and do it well.
By the way they all super league teams funny that.

[Chookies74]

In 2011 the ruck penalty rule seems pretty simple.
Get the player on his back - you get an extra 2-3 seconds.
If he is tackled face down, all the players try to position themselves on their knees for a quick play the ball, if you hold him down, you get penalised.
THIS IS OUR BIGGEST PROBLEM, WE DON'T DOMINATE THE RUCK, hence either a quick play the ball or a penalty.
Objectively watch a game where you have no interest, and only watch the ruck, and you will be able to predict the penalties pretty easily.
What shits me is that if a nuffy like me can work it out, why aren't our defencive co-ordinators amending our defencive style?

[Juggler]

Channel Nine commentary team were talking last night about Parra needing a centre. Someone said that Paul Osborne had said that they have already signed a quality centre who will be announced in a few weeks. Linnett?

[Juggler]

In 2011 the ruck penalty rule seems pretty simple.
Get the player on his back - you get an extra 2-3 seconds.
If he is tackled face down, all the players try to position themselves on their knees for a quick play the ball, if you hold him down, you get penalised.
THIS IS OUR BIGGEST PROBLEM, WE DON'T DOMINATE THE RUCK, hence either a quick play the ball or a penalty.
Objectively watch a game where you have no interest, and only watch the ruck, and you will be able to predict the penalties pretty easily.
What shits me is that if a nuffy like me can work it out, why aren't our defencive co-ordinators amending our defencive style?

The problem is that you cant predict them. They have become very arbitrary with no pattern. There is NO CONSISTENCY within a game.

[Roosterfarian]

He said QUALITY centre...

[trewhella]

This is like the Old argument that the reason why were so strong with Ricky was Dean Pay.

I don't buy it.

It's not about just WHO!

It is about when.

Last year the rooster playing staff had no real tactical coaching for years.

Ando out of the game.
Freddy clueless.

In walks the messiah Brian and players get motivated , stimulated.
Then the party wears off and you are left with the person.

The person ain't that great.