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Trent Robinson vs Elliott Whitehead post-match clash, what happened, hip thrust, Brandon Smith injury, heated argument, press conference, rugby league news

Roosters coach Trent Robinson and Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead went on an explosive run after Canberra's surprise 14-12 win at Allianz Stadium.

The game was marked by injuries; the Roosters lost four players in the dramatic 80 minutes.

One of these four was star half Sam Walker and hooker Brandon Smith, who suffered a knee injury when he was the victim of a hip drop tackle by Whitehead.

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Whitehead was thrown out TWICE in one game | 00:53

The Raiders captain was sent to the penalty box for the tackle, leaving Smith writhing in pain on the ground before being helped off the field just before halftime.

Whitehead was later sent to the penalty box for the second time in the game for swinging his boot to prevent a throw-off and making contact with Angus Crichton.

“It doesn’t look good,” Robinson said of Smith’s injury.

The interaction between Robinson and Whitehead was addressed by the Raiders veteran in Canberra's post-match press conference, which took place before the Roosters' press conference.

When Whitehead was asked about the two penalty boxes, he replied, “OK, I'll talk about it.”

“Obviously I didn't mean to hurt Brandon. I know he was hurt badly and I'm sorry for that, but I just wasn't happy with the way I went to ask about Brandon and apologize and Trent Robinson attacked me and turned against me,” Whitehead said.

“I found the way he did it inappropriate.

“I don't know what he said in his media, if he's done, if he is yet, but yeah, look, I feel sorry for Brandon.

“As for the other penalty box, I don't know if you know the rules or if I don't know the rules. I was trying to prevent a throw. I didn't hit him with any bad intentions, but whatever, I don't care.”

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Robinson was then questioned about the conversation with Whitehead, confirming what was said between the two and sensationally accusing the Canberra captain of frequently making hip drop tackles.

“He came over and wanted to ask how Brandon was doing, and I just said it had happened too many times,” Robinson said.

“The hip drop has been pretty common in his game for a long time and I just said it happens too often and it cost us a player. That's it.”

“He said it was an accident and I said it had happened too many times.

When Robinson was asked if he meant that Whitehead had done too many hip drops over the course of his career, the Roosters coach stuck to his statement.

“Yeah. He's done that a lot in his career, so it's pretty common if you go and check,” he said.

“I like Elliott. I've watched him since he played for Bradford and Catalans, but that was quite frequent.

“I know he's opened up here, so we're talking about it, and normally I wouldn't want to talk to you about it, but he's opened up, and that's been normal in his game his whole career.”

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