Win and the Sydney Roosters play NRL finals.
It’s a simple enough equation ahead of Round 27, except for the small matter of the team on the other side of the field—their most hated rivals, South Sydney.
Whereas some have sought to pour cold water on the game’s oldest local derby, Roosters coach Trent Robinson is embracing it wholeheartedly, explaining the rivalry is still very real and only likely to be amplified on Friday given recent tensions between the two Sydney clubs.
“Obviously there’s been some things off the field when it comes to stadiums and training facilities,” Robinson said in the lead-up to the match at Allianz Stadium.
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“That’s the beauty of our rivalry, there is that hate and anger that’s gone with it since 1908,” he continued.
“I want people to build it up, get everyone excited, because there is a true rivalry there, it’s not something you have to force, it’s real.”
‘Footy hate is different to real hate’
Robinson went on to explain the deep emotions felt by the players heading into this match-up, and also the fans.
“Footy hate is different to real hate, but it’s what builds passion around our sport,” he said.
“We all love wearing our colours, and we stay away from our rivals’ colours, even when it comes to sorting out our M&Ms, that’s where it gets to.
“That’s the passion that sport evokes in people, and we need that—it’s why we’ll have a full stadium on Friday night, people like seeing these two jerseys go up against each other.”
Despite the inevitable tension and niggle, Robinson revealed he hasn’t felt the need to counsel the Roosters players on staying calm against an opponent with nothing to lose and whose season is over at the end of 80 minutes, win or lose.
“Sometimes you do (have to talk to the players), but you get a feeling early in the week and the way that we’ve trained and the discussions we’ve had, we care a lot about the way that we’re playing our footy at the moment, that’s been our only focus.”
Exacting revenge on Brandon Smith?
Asked about the likelihood of someone wanting to put a shot on former teammate, Brandon Smith, in light of recent drug allegations being linked to some of the Roosters players, Robinson suggested the team’s goals were far greater than any individual payback.
“We’re not robots when we go out there,” he admitted.
“But it’s not the driving force, the prize is so much bigger than putting a shot on a guy, that’s not how it works, people like contests and will get up for that, but the purpose (of the match) is much greater than that.”
“We feel ready for Friday night, and we feel ready for what’s next as well.”