Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic hopes Des Hasler isn’t lost to rugby league but is fully supportive of the club’s new direction.
The Anthony Seibold era officially began at the Sea Eagles this week after the former Rabbitohs and Broncos coach completed his commitments with the English rugby side. Trbojevic is back on deck at training after recovering from the shoulder injury that prematurely ended his season in round 11.
Trbojevic was close to sacked coach Hasler and the fullback’s manager issued a statement saying that he was “unhappy” that Manly was “imploding” when emotions were at their highest. Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett even suggested he would make a play for Trbojevic if he was seeking a change of scene.
However, the man dubbed “Tommy Turbo” – addressing the fallout for the first time at the announcement of Westpac’s new naming rights sponsorship of the NSW Blues – said he was fully committed to the Sea Eagles.
“I’m very happy,” Trbojevic told the Herald. “A lot of things were being said in the media, etc. but I’m happy. I just want to play good footy for them.”
“A lot of things were getting tossed out, but we just want to play good footy and win games. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to do that at the back end of last year, we need to turn that around.”
Trbojevic said he would be forever indebted to Hasler.
“I’m very thankful for everything Des has done,” Trbojevic said.
“I loved working under him and being coached by him. Obviously, they have gone in a different direction, and I’m looking forward to going in that direction and seeing where we go.”
Asked if he hoped Hasler would continue his coaching career, the 26-year-old said: “If he wants to coach again, then definitely.
“He’s such a good coach and any club would benefit from having him there.
Tom Trbojevic says he is fully committed to Manly.Credit:NRL Photos
“I’m not sure what he wants to do, that’s something he needs to work out for himself.
“I’m thankful for everything he has done for me and my family.”
Trbojevic also has a good relationship with Seibold. The former Dally M coach of the year worked at Brookvale in 2016 as an assistant to then-coach Trent Barrett.
“I’ve worked under Seibs before and I’m looking forward to working with him closely again,” he said.
“He’s back from his commitments with England rugby now, so I’m looking forward to ripping in with him. Hopefully, we’re building for a better base next year. I really enjoyed working under him. I look forward to doing it again a little more closely this time.
“We’ve got a really good side staff. Having [assistants] Flanno [Shane Flanagan] and Jimmy Dymock there as well will definitely help him. We didn’t play the footy we wanted to last year and we need to turn that around.”
Trbojevic has backed Josh Schuster to partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves following the departure of Kieran Foran.
“Obviously, he has always wanted to play six, but with Foz there he didn’t get that opportunity,” he said.
“He’s in for a good off-season and knowing he’s got that No.6 jersey, hopefully, he can get some confidence on the back of that.”
The Westpac deal – the bank will also donate $5000 for every NSW try scored in the 2023 State of Origin series – came after the NSWRL was crowned the organisation of the year at the Rebel NSW Champions of Sports Awards.
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