Inside furious post-match bust up as footy coach LOSES IT with rival player after heated clash left three of his stars injured: ‘Out of order’

Elliott Whitehead says Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson was “not right” by refusing to accept his apology for a tackle that left Brandon Smith injured in the knee.

But Robinson found it hard to forgive Whitehead, who he said had been making high-throwing tackles “his entire career.”

The Canberra captain went to the penalty box for a hip-drop tackle on Smith in the first half of the Raiders’ 14-12 win that ended with the Roosters hooker on the sideline.

Early indications are that Smith suffered a medial cruciate ligament injury in his right knee during the tackle, so it is not yet certain whether he will play in the Roosters’ final match, who are in third place.

“I didn’t mean to kill Brandon. I know he’s got a nasty injury and stuff like that, and I apologize for that,” Whitehead said.

Whitehead approached Robinson after the game to apologize for his tackle, but was denied by the coach. Sam Walker (knee) and Victor Radley (shoulder) were also injured on Sunday.

“I went to Brandon to ask and Trent Robinson attacked me,” Whitehead said.

“I wanted to apologize, but he turned on me. I thought he was not right the way he did it.”

Elliott Whitehead (left) and Trent Robinson (right) collided after Sunday’s match

Whitehead was made the scapegoat after a rough tackle on Brandon Smith

Robinson did not want to discuss the incident during his own post-match press conference.

However, the coach felt Whitehead had a history of making tackles from the hip throughout his career which began with English Super League side Bradford in 2009.

However, in the past two years, Whitehead has only been charged with first-degree misdemeanors.

“He came up to us and just wanted to ask how Brandon was doing, and I just said it was too much. The hip drop has been a part of his game for a long time, and I just said it was too much. It cost us a player,” Robinson said.

“That was it. He said it was an accident, and I just said, ‘Look, you’ve done it too many times.’ That was it.”

Robinson said he held no personal grudge against Whitehead.

“I like Elliott. I’ve followed him since he was at Bradford and Catalans,” the coach said.

‘Normally I wouldn’t want to talk to you (the media) about it, but he’s said it openly and it’s become a part of his game throughout his career.’

Whitehead tried to apologize to Smith, but Robinson intervened

Whitehead’s tackle may have ended his NRL career.

To reach the final, the Raiders, who are in 11th place, will likely need to beat St George Illawarra next weekend, with Newcastle and the Dolphins needing to draw.

That means the round 27 clash against the Dragons will be the club’s final match before the second-tier player moves to Super League club Catalans next season.

If the competition committee charges Whitehead with a grade two or grade three charge, he faces a suspension.

Whitehead could appeal and request that the charge be reclassified as a first-degree felony, allowing him to pay a fine instead of a suspension.