Trent Robinson hits back over 'disrespectful' claims about Michael Jennings celebration

Trent Robinson says the Roosters will celebrate Michael Jennings' 300th NRL game achievement in private amid the NRL's decision to not officially recognise the milestone on Thursday night due to his controversial past. The 36-year-old is set to become the 51st player to reach the coveted milestone when he returns to the starting side for the injury-ravaged Roosters against the Knights in Newcastle.

His return to the game has been heavily scrutinised, with some saying allowing him to come back shows the NRL doesn't take female safety seriously. But the Roosters coach rejects that notion, insisting his return to the league "is not disrespectful to women".

The 36-year-old was recently banned for three years for performance-enhancing drugs and also was embroiled in a 2021 civil case in which his ex-wife successfully sued him for sexual and verbal abuse. Jennings did not face criminal charges and has repeatedly denied allegations of raping former partner Kirra Wilden. A NSW District Court judge did, however, find in Wilden's favour on the balance of probability in the civil matter, and ordered Jennings to pay close to $500,000 in damages.

Robinson says he understands why the league made the decision to not publically recognise his achievement as he is aware of the strong public opinion surrounding the matter. But the Roosters coach rejected Wilden's claim that his return to the NRL showed the league does not take female safety seriously.

"It's a tough one, right? Because there's no doubt we've moved a long way in that sense," Robinson said when asked about the criticism. "We don't know what happened ... there's been no criminal charges.

"The differentiation between what happens in civil and financial payment and what happens in criminal is really different. What judgement can we make when it's not been criminal (charges) and gone down the traditional line there? And so therefore, it's not disrespectful to women, because there has been no judgement when it's come to criminal case in that way."

Trent Robinson says Michael Jennings worked hard to put his life and career right

The Roosters coach says the club will acknowledge Jennings' 300th NRL game behind closed doors after he successfully made his return from a drugs ban as 18th man against Canterbury last week. Robinson says a large part of that celebration is to recognise the huge strides he has made to put his career and life back on track.

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"We thought we could improve someone's life - we didn't know if he was going to play NRL again," Robinson said. "We play the 80 minutes and you've got to play well. The reason he's there is because he's worked hard.

"But we all have a responsibility, as anybody that walks in the doors, that we improve their lives. If we can assist with that. We want to play a part in making him the best partner now and the best father he can."

Trent Robinson says only NRL can explain why they allowed Michael Jennings to return

Robinson says it is up to the NRL to explain why they allowed Jennings' return to the sport, but don't feel it is right to celebrate his milestone. The Tri Colours coach says the club did their own due diligence before signing the veteran when his drug ban expired and feel it is only right to celebrate his achievement.

"We spent a lot of time at the start and had to go through everything," Robinson said. "Because I knew his partner as well, Kirra, when they were here (at the Roosters) together.

"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 take pride in the responsibility of getting that right. And helping with that."

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with AAP