Robinson implied Leniu and his teammates would be less likely to react if they had confidence in the officials.
“We’ve had significant foul play this year that we haven’t even received a penalty for, and sometimes the guys get a bit sick of it and they want to make a stand themselves,” he said. “So as long as that gets looked after then the boys will stay on task.”
Spencer Leniu gets his marching orders.Credit: NRL Photos
Robinson will be counting on Leniu to bring his trademark energy and demolition-derby approach when he comes off the bench against high-flying Canterbury at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.
“I think that’s who he is,” Robinson said. “That’s his ability to power carry, break lines and then also physically take on the challenge. The front row role is still a battle, and I like the fact that he enjoys that part of it.”
After back-to-back wins against fellow top-eight fringe dwellers Manly and the Dolphins, the Roosters have climbed to ninth on the ladder. With four rounds to play, they are only two points behind sixth-placed Brisbane.
“I think the challenge of tomorrow night is really clear,” Robinson said. “The last couple of teams have been in the top eight or right on the fringe; this [Canterbury] is a top-four team.
Trent Robinson loves Spencer Leniu’s intensity.Credit: Getty Images
“The challenge goes up, and if we want to be the team that we want to be this year, then it doesn’t matter what position they’re in.
“We want to see our game style tomorrow night at the highest level going toe to toe with the opposition.”
Robinson said his team’s only option is to play positively if they are to break down the Bulldogs’ much-vaunted defence, which has conceded fewer points (334) than any other team in the NRL this season.
“We need to attack them,” he said. “They’re a very good team and there’s all respect to that but, for us, we have to go after it and there’s no other choice.”
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Canterbury beat the Roosters 24-20 the last time the two teams met, in round 11, and the Bulldogs have since made two key personnel changes by promoting new signing Lachlan Galvin to halfback and switching utility Bailey Hayward to hooker at the expense of experienced Reed Mahoney.
“Bailey’s been in really good form,” Robinson said. “They’ve obviously made that through the form choice, and then Lachie’s given them more of a traditional balance on both sides of the field.
“They’re running a few plays in and around him. We’ll see how that works tomorrow night.”
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