NRL grand final 2026: Connor Watson reaction, HIA, concussion; Sydney Roosters; Trent Robinson press conference
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has addressed the disappointment of player Connor Watson, who was ruled out of the NRL grand final due to mandatory concussion protocols. Robinson expressed support for the player while defending the necessity of the safety rules.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between player safety protocols and the competitive stakes of professional sports finals.
shares Share article Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has spoken of Connor Watson ’s disappointment at missing out on the grand final after a failed bid to have a concussion stand-down dismissed .
Watson was concussed during the preliminary final against the Dolphins , with was designated as a category one HIA by the independent doctor which meant he was subject to the 11-day stand-down policy.
Connor Watson as Roosters training. Getty Images
Robinson said the team found out at training on Friday and Watson had to control his emotions in the middle of a training session.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in