'Selfish behaviour': McGregor reprimands Vaughan as Roosters down Dragons
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Adam Pengilly
August 6, 2020 — 10.09pm
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St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor has scolded Paul Vaughan’s COVID-19 breakfast bungle as "selfish behaviour" as the Dragons’ season was snuffed out by a decimated Roosters.
State of Origin prop Vaughan missed the match after being forced into 14-day isolation for eating a meal away from home on gameday, a clear breach of the NRL’s strict biosecurity rules governing the competition’s continuation.
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has been condemned to the same fate for a similar mishap and won’t be in the box for South Sydney’s clash against Brisbane on Friday night.
McGregor was far from happy with Vaughan’s actions as his side's faint finals hopes were ended at WIN Stadium on Thursday night.
“That’s disappointing,” McGregor said after the Roosters won 24-16. “It’s very disappointing. We’re well aware of what our responsibilities are. We talk about it consistently. There’s no reason for it except it’s selfish behaviour really.
“We spoke about whatever it takes and needing to do the right thing by one another and the game. Everyone’s got to have some sacrifices and that’s just one of them. The game has done a lot to get back going and we’ve got to be respectful of that.”
Vaughan has apologised to the Dragons staff and players, but McGregor was yet to speak to him personally. Vaughan will also be unavailable against the high-flying Eels next week.
Mitchell Aubusson crashed over for a try in his 300th NRL match, becoming just the eighth player to manage the feat in the milestone match.
His first-half four-pointer – along with Joseph Manu’s double and a powerhouse 260-metre, 80-minute performance from Siosiua Taukeiaho – cemented the Roosters’ top-four status.
Trent Robinson’s side were without more than a third of their salary cap with Boyd Cordner, Angus Crichton, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Victor Radley, Sam Verrills, Daniel Tupou and the Morris twins all sidelined.
“We had a part where we were on fire and you’re getting big wins and the last 20 minutes is about by how far,” Robinson said.
“Now we’ve gone through a period where we’re fighting for wins and you’re having to manage the last 20 minutes with the game in the balance – and you learn a lot of stuff there as well. That’s the period we’re in.
“If ever it was the ultimate club night and ultimate clubman it was tonight for Aubo.”
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/se...as-roosters-down-dragons-20200806-p55jcq.html
P.S nothing new here...coach just throwing another person under the Bus.....what would a Bennett or Bellamy or Robinson do....They would stick up for their players, acknowledge they made a mistake...while our coach takes NO Responsibility for the mess he has created at our club for the last 7 years............Cannot wait for the day when he is gone...cannot come soon enough.
