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Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson says he's confused by the NRL's interpretations of crusher tackles.

A frustrated Trent Robinson claims he no longer understands how the NRL interprets crusher tackles as the Sydney Roosters prepare for a run to the finals without Angus Crichton.

NSW Origin star Crichton was banned for three games for a crusher tackle on Penrith's Liam Martin last weekend, with loading from prior offences adding to the punishment.

Robinson is adamant that pressure was only applied to the neck because Martin fell and bounced backwards into the tackle, leaving Crichton with little room to move.

The Roosters did not challenge the ban at the judiciary, with Robinson admitting once there is evidence pressure is applied to the neck it is very hard to overturn.

Of the 35 crusher tackle charges handed out since the introduction of a separate crusher tackle category midway through last year, only one has been challenged by a player.

"I thought I did (understand what a crusher tackle is)," Robinson said.

"But from one end they (the match review committee) will put out an excuse that there was mitigating factors therefore someone didn't get charged.

"And when there is mitigating factors on the other end they'll say that that was a traditional crusher.

"This one, there was pressure on Liam in that tackle, but we thought that he worked his way into that position and we thought that they could see that.

"But they obviously couldn't."

Robinson believed the league too had become confused on the issue since the crackdown began last August.

"It's so varied on where they're going to get to, they're more varied than they've ever been before." Robinson said.

"They're more unsure of what a crackdown looks like and how they're going to (adjudicate it).

"Our game is multiple people tackling people who are spinning and ducking their head to get to ground.

"These things are going to happen at different times and we don't want them.

"But we also understand what's going to happen in a game and for someone to miss three games is just incredible."

Robinson's comments came on the same day Daily Telegraph data revealed that the Roosters have won just 29 per cent of penalty counts since he took over as coach in 2013.

He maintains he has no idea why his team can't get on the right side of referees, with the worst penalty differential in the competition in that period.

"I've asked what we need to do differently and that hasn't come back the other way," Robinson said.

"We've been living with this for a long time so we've got to find a way to obviously improve our discipline.

"And it would be helpful if there was some areas that should be looked at. But It doesn't matter."

Meanwhile Robinson revealed he had been helping Newcastle's Connor Watson with his future, whether it be with a return to the Roosters or moving elsewhere.