‘Ask anyone’: Ricky Stuart vents over penalty count

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart was bathing in the afterglow of a heart-stopping win over Cronulla, but he still asked for a please explain.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has once again vented his frustrations and questioned why his side was on the wrong end of a lopsided penalty count in their thrilling win over Cronulla.

Stuart was at pains to point out that he was not being critical of referee Todd Smith, describing him as a “wonderful” official.

But he questioned why his side conceded seven penalties to two in their 24-20 victory at GIO Stadium on Thursday night.

NRL HQ is scrutinising the post-match comments of coaches having handed down an edict that they cannot comment on referees.

Earlier this month Stuart said he hoped NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo had some answers for him after similarly lopsided penalty and six-again counts against his side in their heavy loss to Manly.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has vented his frustrations at the penalty count. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Stuart was effusive in his praise of his players after they shrugged off the sin-binning of back-rower Hudson Young to snatch victory with less than two minutes on the clock

And he said his side wasn’t as ill-disciplined as the stat sheet suggested.

“We’re not that ill-disciplined,” Stuart said.

“It’s like when we played Manly two weeks ago – this team is not that ill-disciplined.

“I don’t know what I can do as a coach because I don’t go out and coach grubby tactics. I don’t go out and coach to be ill-disciplined. Ask anyone I coach.”

Stuart said his side’s win – their third of the season to have them well in the hunt for the top eight – came despite a lack of field position in the second half and a high penalty count.

Sebastian Kris and teammates celebrate his game-winning try. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

“I think the penalty count was 7-2. OK, fine,” Stuart said.

“If we’re giving penalties away, that’s great. You can’t tell me other teams don’t give away penalties as well.

“I hate talking about it and Toddy (Smith) is a wonderful referee. I’m not having a crack at him, he’s a wonderful ref. I hope I’m allowed to give him a rap.”

Young was the first player sin-binned after NRL head office this week reiterated that players who make direct, forceful contact with the head of an opposition player will be sent for 10, having said four players last weekend escaped sanction for high shots.

Young on Friday escaped suspension for his hit on Cameron McInnes and can accept a $1800 fine.

The Raiders held on and did not concede a point during Young’s 10-minute absence before the NSW representative returned to the field and made the initial break that led to Sebastian Kris’ game-winning try.

When Stuart was asked if he had a better idea of what is and isn’t a sin bin, he replied: “No.”

Kris and Cronulla’s Billy Burns can also accept fines for careless high tackles in the same match.

Originally published as ‘Ask anyone’: Ricky Stuart vents over penalty count