Wednesday 17 February 2016 10:44, UK
Sydney Roosters boss Trent Robinson remains so passionate about Super League that he is happy to put the interests of the world-wide game ahead of those of his club.
The 38-year-old Australian has guided the Roosters to back-to-back minor premierships in the NRL but retains fond memories of his time in the northern hemisphere, where he was player and coach of Toulouse as well as boss of Catalans Dragons from 2010-12.
Robinson was named Super League coach of the year in 2011 after taking the Perpignan club from bottom of the table into the top six at his first attempt and he completed a rare double when he became the youngest ever winner of the coach of the year title at the 2013 Dally M Awards.
Under their bright young coach, the Roosters then followed up their Grand Final victory over Manly with a resounding 36-14 triumph over Wigan in the 2014 World Club Challenge in Sydney.
That was the last one-off fixture before the long-running concept was expanded into an annual six-team tournament and Robinson is delighted to get the chance to take part.
The ability for us to pay players means we've started enticing a lot of English players to come over and play and that's been a benefit to the NRL.
"I love Super League and the NRL coming together," said Robinson. "There's two big rugby league competitions in the world and sometimes we don't see enough of each other so combining that is really important, at least once a year.
"I believe in it. The timing has always been the discussion, is it best at the start of the season or the end of the season?
"I think that debate is still ongoing. But I do like the push from the northern hemisphere to get six teams and to create that England versus Australia battle on this occasion.
"It puts at risk the start of the season for the NRL teams but we believe in the game so that's why we want to be here."
Robinson's men get the 2016 World Club Series under way against St Helens at Langtree Park on Friday night, with Wigan hosting Brisbane Broncos 24 hours later and the respective Grand Final winners Leeds and North Queensland fighting it out on Sunday evening for the right to be called world champions.
It was 3-0 to the NRL clubs in 2015 and the signs are pointing to another clean sweep for the southern hemisphere this weekend but Robinson has not given up on Super League, where he believes the big-four monopoly could be about to end.
"I hope it's 1-0 on Friday night, that's what I'm hoping for," he said.
"The growth of the game in Australia has been huge since I left in 2010 to 2016, especially financially. The ability for us to pay players means we've started enticing a lot of English players to come over and play and that's been a benefit to the NRL.
"But I think the strength, especially through the three teams that are playing here on the weekend, has continued to develop the game over here.
"I think Jamie Peacock and Kevin Sinfield have been a big loss for Leeds but I see Catalans and Hull have heavily invested this year so hopefully we're starting to see a bit of a growth in the teams outside the top four in the Super League."
Meanwhile, Robinson revealed that England winger Joe Burgess is relieved to be feeling the effects of a harsh English winter after experiencing his first pre-season in the heat of a Sydney summer.
Burgess, who impressed the Roosters by scoring a long-range try against them two years ago, left Wigan at the end of last season to start a three-year contract in the NRL.
"I didn't now Joe beforehand but he's fitted in very well," said Robinson. "He's a really likeable kid and all the players have been drawn to him. He's a pretty funny guy.
"He's had a few sunburns early, the heat is the big thing for him. He's happy to feel two degrees again rather than 32."
