- Players reportedly targeted by irate fans on social media
The Sydney Roosters have taken the extraordinary step of asking footy fans not to issue death threats towards their players following Friday’s heavy defeat against the New Zealand Warriors.
Andrew Webster’s side cruised to a 42-18 victory in Auckland – and clearly the one-sided result sent some Tricolours supporters over the edge.
‘While we appreciate the love and the passion that comes with sport, we will not tolerate death threats towards our players,’ an Instagram post read.
‘Rugby League is a game that we all love and at the end of the day don’t let it ruin your day. Peace and Love.’
According to News Corp, angry Roosters fans online called for the return of Hugo Savala, who was dumped from the halves in favour of star recruit Daly Cherry-Evans.
Daily Mail understands the NRL is aware of the Roosters’ social media post and is tipped to make inquiries into the matter.
The Sydney Roosters have pleaded with footy fans not to issue death threats towards their players following Friday’s defeat against the Warriors (pictured, captain James Tedesco)
Andrew Webster’s side cruised to a 42-18 victory in Auckland – and clearly the result sent some Tricolours supporters over the edge (pictured, star recruit Daly Cherry-Evans)
The Roosters’ social media post which confirmed some players were targeted following a first-up defeat
The Tricolours next face bitter rivals South Sydney at Allianz Stadium on March 13 (pictured, backrower Angus Crichton)
Speaking in the post-game press conference, frustrated Roosters coach Trent Robinson lamented a lopsided penalty count.
It was 11-2 in favour of the hosts at one stage, before finishing 11-4.
‘The story is 42 points (which) is unacceptable,’ Robinson said.
‘Things will go against you. The opposition applied a lot of pressure…but 11-2 is quite incredible in our game.
‘Then we had video ref decisions and all of that. But as I go back to, depending on what team you want to be, is how much of a swing against you do you let in (and how) many points?
‘We want to be a team…that you can have decisions go against you, and then you put your gloves up and say, ‘that’s cool, we might be a few points down, but we can hold onto that no matter how far it swings’.’
Meanwhile, veteran ABC commentator Andrew Moore was having none of Robinson’s rant.
‘Unless Trent fixes this crap the Roosters go on with…they are not winning any comps…they aren’t going to any grand finals, because they are so badly disciplined,,’ he said.
The Tricolours next face bitter rivals South Sydney at Allianz Stadium on March 13.
