Trent Robinson has backed Spencer Leniu to maintain his aggressive edge heading into the finals, but wants the Roosters prop to keep his emotions within reason after a fiery outing against South Sydney.
The Rabbitohs ran out 50-20 winners over the Roosters in their final games before finals football, although Robinson was always going to use the contest to manage his squad.
The Roosters rested several stars, including Daly Cherry-Evans, James Tedesco and Reece Robson, while handing NRL debuts to Hayden Barton and Aston Warwick.
As a result, Robinson is unlikely to be overly concerned by the heavy defeat, with the Roosters coach instead using the match as an opportunity to give valuable minutes to his younger players.
However, there was one aspect of the performance he will want addressed before the Roosters' finals campaign gets underway.
The contest was fiery from the opening exchanges, with Leniu at the centre of the attention after giving away three penalties during his 30 minutes on the field.
The Roosters prop became involved in a confrontation with South Sydney enforcer Keaon Koloamatangi, forcing referee Adam Gee to step in as the pair exchanged words.
Gee was heard demanding Leniu play the ball on multiple occasions, with the referee calling on the prop to get on with the game six times before he eventually conceded another penalty.
The incident prompted Gee to later warn Roosters captain Connor Watson that Leniu needed to avoid involving himself in any further fights.
Leniu was eventually taken from the field after 30 minutes, although Robinson confirmed his early substitution was always part of the plan as the Roosters looked to give their debutants extended minutes.
The fiery nature of the contest continued late in the game, with both sides reduced to 12 men after another fight in the final 10 minutes.
Roosters prop De La Salle Va'a and Rabbitohs forward Lachlan Hubner were both sent to the sin bin following the confrontation.
Speaking after the match, Robinson admitted Leniu had crossed the line, but made it clear he did not want to see the aggression that makes him such an effective player disappear.
“He went over it (the line). I want him to play with his natural spirit and just stay under the line,” Robinson said.
“We spoke about that, and I'll encourage him to be himself and take on the opposition. He's got enough experience that he just should have regulated that and played the ball.
“But after that, what did he do wrong? He creates an atmosphere when he's in that mode. Other than that, I would have liked it to be beneficial for us.”
Robinson also explained that Leniu's substitution was always part of the plan, allowing rookies to spend significant periods on the field.
“I wanted to give as much time to those other guys,” Robinson said.
“I ended up rotating one forward out there, and I thought they did an amazing job. To see Hayden and Aston out there in their first game and they just played long minutes and kept going and going.”
With the Roosters now turning their attention towards the finals, Robinson's challenge will be ensuring Leniu can bring the same aggression and intensity without allowing his temper to become a liability.
His ability to create an atmosphere can be a major asset in September, but the Roosters will need the prop to remain disciplined when the stakes are at their highest.
