Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has admonished Zane Tetevano for not playing to the whistle but insists the NRL bunker made the correct call on Nathan Cleary’s opinion-dividing no try.

Robinson and his Penrith counterpart Ivan Cleary were divided after the Penrith No.7 had a four-pointer denied by the video referees in the Roosters’ 22-6 win at the SCG on Saturday which ended the Panthers’ season.

Just before halftime the Panthers believed they had evened up the scores when Cleary cut inside to cross.

The decision was sent up by the on-field officials as a no-try and eventually denied because Penrith prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard was ruled to have obstructed Tetevano and denied him the chance to make a covering tackle.

Cleary Snr was angered because Tetevano stood in the line appealing for a penalty and did not make an attempt at tackle.

“The game allows people not to try in defence, I’ve been saying that for years,” Cleary said.

“As soon as you allow defenders not to try, it’s not their fault. That’s what the rules allow. I don’t think the game wants that.

“He made no effort at all. We didn’t run behind our own man, I don’t know what the obstruction was because he just stopped.

“I don’t know what you guys think but I don’t think it’s a great look.”

Robinson objected to Cleary’s assertion that it was a bad look for the game.

He also threw his support behind the video officials, arguing that Campbell-Gillard stopped in the defensive line however admitted that Tetevano shouldn’t have given up on the chase.

“I wouldn’t have liked Zane to stop like that, I’ll talk to him about that,” Robinson said.

“They got their structure wrong and Reagan shouldn’t stop either.

“I don’t think that’s great from Ivan to bring that up at this point of the year, I think that’s poor.”

After locking up second spot with their seventh win in a row, the Roosters are now hoping to be near full strength for their last-round blockbuster against South Sydney on Thursday.

Halfback Cooper Cronk is expected to be back after missing Saturday’s win with an eye injury, while back-rower Boyd Cordner (calf) and winger Ryan Hall (knee) are also expected to return.

However Siosiua Taukeiaho, who left the field in the second half against the Panthers with a rib injury is racing the clock while Jake Friend (broken arm) isn’t expected back.

Robinson also said he wouldn’t look to rest players heading into the finals.