James Roberts' NRL exile comes down to a ''personal issue'' between the outcasted centre and Broncos coach Anthony Seibold, according to close friend Anthony Mundine.
Roberts has not played since Brisbane's demoralising round eight loss to South Sydney where he displayed a number of defensive issues, left out of the first grade side for the second consecutive week.
A season-ending ACL injury to Jack Bird, who filled in Roberts' right centre position on the weekend, opened up a prime opportunity ro recall the incumbent NSW centre, however Seibold opted for young gun Gehamat Shibasaki while Jamayne Isaako earned back his right wing spot.
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Mundine believes the surprise decision is a slap in the face to Roberts and there is a deeper meaning behind Seibold's ideology.
‘’We know what type of player he is, he just hasn’t been shown any love to be honest,’’ Mundine told Channel Seven.
‘’Obviously there’s any issue, a personal issue, I believe.
‘’Whether it’s between the coaching staff and James, or whether they don’t like his attitude.
‘’For Jack Bird to be out and then put somebody else in - it doesn’t sit right with me.’’
Roberts was named 19th man in Brisbane's 21-man squad to face the Roosters on Friday night, shining a glimmer of hope on a potential return.
But if Shibasaki fires, Roberts may have to get comfortable in reserve grade.
Speaking on NRL 360 on Monday night, Seibold said Roberts was dropped to reserve grade because Shibasaki and Kotoni Staggs deserved their shot, insisting Roberts hadn't asked for a release.
"(Staggs and Shibasaki) have both been training well and any opportunities they've had this year, whether it's Queensland Cup or NRL, they've both performed really admirably so it was more about rewarding those guys," Seibold said.
"Jimmy will be in the 21 this week and we'll make a decision later in the week on who actually starts at centre there but Jimmy's had no conversation with me about leaving the club."
Despite his axing, there are reports Roberts is still on the radar of NSW selectors with the state facing an injury crisis in the highly contended position.
Roberts was scheduled to suit up for Wynnum-Manly Seagulls, his aligned QLD Cup side, however NRL.com reports he will not be able to make the trip overseas to Port Moresby to face PNG Hunters as his visa has expired.
Instead, the out-of-sorts speedster will spend the week in Brisbane to embark on his own training with a first grade return in his sights.
