Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan and prop Bryce Gibbs have backed halfback Jeff Robson to take over the NRL team’s playmaking duties while Todd Carney is away on State of Origin duty.
The Sharks, who will likely be without Carney and captain Paul Gallen for three games during the eight-week Origin period, have blossomed under Carney’s expansive style this year to rocket into second place after nine rounds.
But far from anticipating a breakdown in attack against Canterbury on Monday with Carney off plotting Queensland’s downfall, Flanagan said he had the utmost faith in Robson’s ability to lead the Sharks.
Flanagan even suggested the journeyman had been the team’s dominant playmaker in recent weeks – including Sunday’s upset victory over Melbourne.
“I thought Robbo’s game was outstanding. It was Robbo who made the line break and put the kick in when (Storm fullback) Billy (Slater) got sin-binned,” Flanagan told AAP.
“He played the major hand on the weekend – not Todd.
“Todd did what he had to do and played a good game, but I’m sure whoever we play in that six position will do a good job because our halfback is doing a really good job as well.”
The Sharks have named Wade Graham at No.6 to face the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium, but are likely to promote Chad Townsend to start with Graham reverting to the pack or bench.
Regardless of the combination, Gibbs is confident Robson will succeed.
“We give out our man-of-the-match every week and I’ve been giving it to (Robson),” Gibbs said.
“He’ll step up this week – he steps up every week.
“He’s got plenty of experience, he’s 29 and has played in a grand final. He knows what to do. He’ll go well.”
Robson’s rise might have surprised many outside the Sharks, but Flanagan was always confident he’d found his halfback – even before the club hit the jackpot when they landed Carney months later.
“I knew what ability he had, and I knew what type of player he was,” Flanagan said.
“We didn’t have Todd at that stage so we got a little bit lucky there, but I knew we were getting a really steady halfback.
“The combination between him and Todd has been really good.”