Ricky Stuart storms out of press conference after 'embarrassing' Raiders display
After a 48-2 drubbing at the hands of the Storm, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was in no mood to be answering questions.
Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart's frustration was palpable after the Melbourne Storm inflicted some serious damage on their finals hopes, running away with a 48-2 victory in Melbourne on Sunday. Despite having resided in the top eight for the majority of the NRL season, the Raiders had no answers for a runaway Storm - with Stuart absolutely apoplectic following the game.
Stuart labelled the Raiders' effort 'embarrassing' and declared they simply weren't up for the fight in a match that could have elevated them into the top four. It came off the back of club great Jarrod Croker announcing his NRL retirement at the end of the season.
BRUTAL: Parramatta rocked by disastrous Mitchell Moses news
'UNREAL': Reece Walsh lights up NRL world amid Kangaroos debate
While he is well known for his occasionally acrimonious relationship with the press, Stuart struck a more apologetic tone with reporters, declaring he was too frustrated to speak with them at length. He spoke at his post-game press conference for a little over a minute - which proved to be more than enough for him to sum up the Raiders' efforts.
Their only points came from a penalty early in the first half, with the Storm seizing control unrelentingly from that moment on. The Storm fired in three tries in 13 minutes to put themselves in the drivers' seat by the end of the first half, a position they would not relent for the subsequent 40 minutes of play.
“It wasn’t tough at all. It was just embarrassing. (I’m) absolutely embarrassed," Stuart said after the game.
“I don’t think I can say much more than that to be honest. It was just a really, really embarrassing performance.
"We went away after 20 minutes. We weren’t prepared to fight for the 80 (minutes) and they were. We were fighting for a top four spot today and we delivered up that crap. That’s the embarrassing part about it. I’m lost for words on a lot of it.”
Stuart seemingly fired a subtle shot at his own players when asked what his message was to them, retorting that journalists should 'ask them' since 'allowed to talk now apparently' following the settling of the dispute between the league and the NRLPA.
The veteran coach added that he didn't want to discuss Croker in the wake of the mauling, declaring he was only attending the press conference due to NRL obligations. It was there that he offered something of an olive branch to reporters, admitting it wasn't their questions that had put him in a bad mood.
“Nah, I’ll talk tomorrow about (Croker). I’m not trying to be disrespectful to you mate. I just ain’t in the mood for talking. Really, it’s just… I’m here because I have to be," Stuart replied.
Refreshing to see Ricky Stuart blame his players on the loss yesterday and not everything but. Well done stick #NRLStormRaiders
— Dane Wheeler (@DaneWheeler) August 13, 2023
If we miss the 8 which is highly likely than surely going into next season Ricky Stuart will be under pressure to keep his job we need a good off season and have a serious look at our attacking and defensive structures because at the moment we are an absolute rabble.#WeAreRaiders
— Chris (@ChrisAndo5) August 13, 2023
I'm no lover of Ricky Stuart as a Coach at times, but there are times where honesty is well and truly needed.
All coaches at all levels have been through this where their side has been MIA for long periods.
And honesty after that is always welcomed. https://t.co/nfNtbCiyH8— Nathan Bester (@duckybester85) August 13, 2023
One of the most childish displays from Ricky Stuart in that press conference, suppose shouldn't expect anything more from a coach with no idea #nrlstormraiders
— Tim W (@tdwilso92) August 13, 2023
Canberra's woeful display puts NRL finals hopes in danger
Remarkably, it's the first time in 253 matches the Raiders haven't scored a try, which counts as an NRL record streak. Their embarrassing display became even worse with two soft late tries.
Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster crossed untouched before fullback Nick Meaney did much the same as the margin ballooned. Canberra finished the game with 11 men after fullback Jordan Rapana was sin-binned for holding down Nelson Asofa-Solomona before centre Matt Timoko joined his teammate for a high shot.
Melbourne have leap-frogged Cronulla into fourth on the table with games to come against the Dolphins (14th) and Gold Coast (13th) providing an opportunity to shore up a double chance before a final-round blockbuster against Brisbane. It was a classy response to their 26-6 loss to Penrith last weekend, with Bellamy saying his team had decided it wouldn't continue to accept half-hearted build-ups to games.
Any hope of a Canberra comeback was snuffed early in the second term, as second-rower Trent Loiero powered to the line before Meaney broke through and allowed Harry Grant to cruise over for 32-2. They were up for the contest early and controlled possession in the first half but looked clunky when they shifted the ball out wide and were punished by a Storm side that looked far more clinical in attack.
The Raiders' terrible points differential plummets even lower to -120 and it could easily keep them out of the finals. They play Canterbury next before tough matches against Brisbane and Cronulla to close the season.
With AAP
Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.
