Elliot Whitehead: Trent Robinson ‘not in line’ for refusing to apologize

Elliott Whitehead says Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson acted “out of line” when he refused to accept his apology for a tackle that injured Brandon Smith's knee.

Robinson, however, found it difficult to forgive Whitehead because he had performed hip-drop tackles “his entire career.”

The Canberra captain was sent to the penalty box for a hip-drop tackle on Smith in the first half of the Raiders' 14-12 win, which ended with the Roosters hooker being sent off.

Initial indications suggest that Smith sustained an injury to the medial cruciate ligament in his right knee as a result of the tackle, so it is not certain whether he will play in the final for the third-placed Roosters.

“I didn't mean any harm to Brandon. I know he had a bad injury and everything, and I feel sorry for him,” Whitehead said.

After the game, Whitehead apologized to Robinson for his tackle, but the coach, who was also without Sam Walker (knee) and Victor Radley (shoulder) due to injuries on Sunday, rejected this.

“I went over to ask about Brandon and Trent Robinson attacked me,” Whitehead said.

“I wanted to apologize, but he turned against me. The way he did it was, in my opinion, inappropriate.”

Robinson was reluctant to address the incident in his own post-match press conference.

However, the coach felt that Whitehead had already executed a number of hip-drop tackles during his career, which began with English Super League team Bradford in 2009.

However, in the last two years, Whitehead has only been charged with first-degree crimes.

“He came up and just wanted to ask how Brandon was doing, and I just said that happened too many times. The hip drop has been pretty common in his game for a long time, and I just said that happened too many times. It cost us a player,” Robinson said.

“That was it. He said it was an accident and I just said, 'Look, you've done it too many times.' That was it.”

Robinson said he had no personal grudge against Whitehead.

“I like Elliott. I have watched him since he was at Bradford and with the Catalans,” said the coach.

“Normally I wouldn't want to talk to you (the media) about it, but he was open about it and that's been a normal part of his game throughout his career.”

Whitehead's tackle may have ended his NRL career.

To reach the final, the 11th-placed Raiders will likely need to beat St. George Illawarra next weekend and draw Newcastle with the Dolphins.

This means that the Round 27 game against the Dragons will be the club's last before the second-row striker joins Super League side Catalans next season.

If the match review committee brings second- or third-degree charges against Whitehead, he faces suspension.

Whitehead could appeal and have his charge reclassified to the first category to pay a fine rather than serve a suspension.