Roosters coach Trent Robinson was frustrated his team let a 14-0 lead slip and still could have won at the death in a thrilling 24-20 loss to the Bulldogs in Round 11.
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Robinson’s Roosters went toe to toe with the ladder leading Bulldogs, but Robinson expects more from his team than a close loss to a top four side.
“That’s why the pain is so high because we do have a lot of belief and we let one slip there and we do feel like we have belief in our team,” Robinson said.
“We’re really clear on that. I think we had belief before others had belief and it was right there to get it done and that’s why the pain hurts.
“A lot of teams might be happy, we’re not happy about what happened. We knew that was in us but let’s become that team that we can see in that dressing room.”
Robinson was proud of his side’s effort, but still felt they could have done more to close out the contest.
“I thought it was a really good contest,” Robinson said.
“I thought there was really good signs of a good team there. I thought there was a lot of self-inflicted errors from us that allowed field position and we’re playing a team that knows how to grind and enjoy the contest but I really feel like we can be better.”
Mark Nawaqanitawase had a rocks and diamonds performance coming up with a stunning try to give the Roosters a 20-18 lead with 10 minutes to play, but he was also guilty of some errors under the high ball.
“I thought Mark got us back into that with that try, but I thought we’re also asking some really good questions there when we were behind,” Robinson said.
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“I felt like we kept playing footy, but it really hurts because you can see a team there that could have possibly won today and could have possibly taken it there and really proud of the team that we’re becoming.
“And then that’s super disappointing at the same time, like come on, come on, finish that off, come on, there was nothing new there, there was nothing tricky about that, that was get into position, end up with the ball, make those tackles, so you get two parts to it.”
Robinson praised Nawaqanitawase’s try but conceded he had some poor moments under the high ball.
“It’s a great try, it’s really good to see someone play with attacking freedom like that,” Robinson said.
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“Sees the play really well, sees space really well and has the courage to play.
“I mean the cost is really high of those and he’s a really good catcher.
“I think there’s too much effort in the jump and the catch, it’s not through lack of technique, it’s not through the jump, it’s not through the catch. It’s probably through too much effort in the catch, so that’s actually an easy fix rather than a technical fix.
“But those hurt tonight. I can understand Mark’s hurting in there and you can do all that sort of stuff. But we love our game because it is attrition based and field position based as well.”
Despite the errors, Robinson wants to see more players play with freedom like Nawaqanitawase.
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“That’s a part of the game that we’ve got to make sure, the attrition base in union isn’t as high as in league and so therefore you can take risk and it’s not going to hurt you like it can hurt you in Rugby League,” Robinson said.
“That’s why we love Rugby League but we’ve also got to make sure that players are coming through not thinking attrition through 17s and 19s and all of that.
“There’s got to be allowed to be that freedom in footy and hopefully Mark can open up that for players and coaches to allow more freedom in the right areas, but back yourself and our game needs those players and we don’t often do it, but it’s a tip of the cap to the freedom that can be, that comes from union because it doesn’t hurt as much.”
Roosters skipper James Tedesco said Nawaqanitawase was hurting from his errors, but he wouldn’t trade him for anyone.
“It was up there, that was just individual brilliance really,” Tedesco said.
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“And he does that stuff for training. He’s shown in the short time that he’s been with us and been in the NRL he comes up with some incredible plays.
“I know he’s hurting a bit in there for a couple of those errors but we love him. He’s great to have around the team. He comes up with plays like that, that make him potentially win games.
“He’s got high instincts. I think that was what I was impressed with the most when he came with his skill, whether that’s a kick or a pass or a flick or just has high instincts and he’s very skilful.
“He’s still on the wing but he can still create plays like that, so he’s really important for us. He’s going to keep getting better and better.”
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