Roosters defy NRL with Jennings milestone act
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson said he was “really proud” after the club decided to let Michael Jennings lead the side out for his 300th match.
Jennings made his return to the NRL last week after the club signed him on a train-and-trial deal in the off season.
The Roosters offered him the chance to finish his career at the club after serving a three-year drug ban and a judgement from a NSW civil court in 2021, which ordered he pay $500,000 in damages for the alleged rape of his ex-wife Kirra Wilden during their relationship.
Wilden expressed dismay over Jennings’ return to the NRL, saying the game’s powerbrokers don’t take the safety of women seriously.
Michael Jennings walks onto the field with his children for his 300th match.
Due to his past conduct, the NRL decided it would not celebrate the 35-year-old’s 300th match against the Knights.
Despite the NRL’s decision, Jennings led the Roosters out at McDonald Jones Stadium, accompanied by his children.
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A number of Jennings’ former teammates took to social media to congratulate the centre on his achievement, including James Maloney and Sonny Bill Williams.
Congrats brother, awesome achievement 🙌 @M_Jennings_03 pic.twitter.com/jGe37uzyvY
— James Maloney (@jim_jim86) April 11, 2024
Post-game, Robinson spoke of his delight seeing Jennings run out for his milestone.
“(I’m) really proud, he could lead his kids out there and he’s the first Tongan to play 300 games,” he said in his press conference.
Roosters captain Luke Keary revealed former Roosters prop Frank-Paul Nu’uausala was in the sheds to help acknowledge Jennings’ milestone before speaking of the centre’s influence on the group.
“It was good (to acknowledge), just the way we’ve seen him come back, fight really hard to get his place in the squad and he’s been such a good influence on the squad,” he said.
“It’s not just his comeback, he played 298 games before (returning to Roosters) and he was the best centre in the world for a period there.
“He’s represented his people from out west, from Tonga. Just super proud of him, super proud of his career and how he’s fought back. To see his kids and family tonight was special.”