Jake finds Friend in Roosters coach

SYDNEY Roosters coach Trent Robinson admits Jake Friend has been hurt by what he claims is unfair abuse levelled at the co-captain by fans.

Roosters fans booed cocaptain Friend during last week’s loss to South Sydney, chanting bench hooker Victor Radley’s name and banging Robinson’s coaching box telling him to get Friend off.

Friend, known for his standand-deliver style out of dummyhalf, endured a difficult night against free-running opposite No. 9 Damien Cook.

“Jake had a game he didn’t want to have last week and that was difficult,” Robinson said. “It’s really hard. A couple of players have said it’s really hard for us to sit there after 200-odd games and, the way Jake plays, he’s our captain and he’s our captain for a reason.”

Robinson said Friend’s criticism was harder to cop given his selfless nature.

“Jake just doesn’t stop. You’ll see 90 per cent of players at different points in their career make a decision based on how they’re feeling. Jake’s never made a decision based on that.”

Friend’s ability to rebound against Canterbury on Thursday night will be crucial.