Roosters: ‘no disrespect’

Club backs its decision to sign Jennings

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has dismissed concerns around signing and selecting controversial centre Michael Jennings to a return to the NRL, saying “it’s not disrespectful to women”.

The 35-year-old is set to play his 300th NRL game on Thursday night, but the occasion has been shrouded in contention after returning from a threeyear drug ban and findings from a NSW Civil Court in 2021 that he raped his wife on four occasions during the course of their relationship.

Jennings was ordered to pay his ex-wife Kirra Wilden almost $500,000 in damages, and an appeal by the former NRL and Australia star was denied.

In recent days, Wilden has spoken publicly to say the NRL doesn’t take the safety of women seriously.

And when asked on Wednesday about the decision to sign Jennings in the first place, Robinson said the club did its due diligence, but because the legal matter was civil and not criminal, there was a difference in how it was treated.

“That’s a civil case, where it’s really difficult to go into,” he said. “There’s been no criminal investigation. So we’ve just had to run on the facts there, and then going through where his life’s at, where his family’s at, at the moment.

“We knew, and we take pride in the responsibility of getting that right. And helping with that. It’s obviously Michael’s choice, and he’s made continuously good choices to get back to where he is now.”

When asked to comment on the claims it has been disrespectful to women, Robinson said: “It’s a really tough one, right? Because there’s no doubt we’ve moved a long way in that sense.

“There’s been no criminal charges. So the differentiation between what happens in civil and financial payment and what happens in criminal is really different. And it’s been hard for people to understand the difference.

“They’ve been crossing over, but what judgment can we make when it’s not being criminal and gone down the traditional line there. And so therefore, it’s not disrespectful to women, because there has been no judgment when it’s come to a criminal case in that way.

“And then at which point does he be allowed to continue with his life and continue working. How long is a punishment?

“We took that into consideration, the NRL took that into consideration. We want to play a part in making him the best partner now and the best father he can.”

The NRL has already back

tracked on plans to celebrate Jennings’ 300th milestone in Newcastle on Thursday night, but the Roosters will have their own plans.

“Definitely, we should,” Robinson said. “It’s always (a) unique celebration for us.”