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Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart reportedly under investigation for sideline behaviour

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart is reportedly under investigation for a sideline incident during Saturday’s game against the Warriors.

Raiders Coach Ricky Stuart.
Raiders Coach Ricky Stuart.

Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart is reportedly under investigation for a sideline incident during Saturday afternoon’s NRL game against the Warriors.

The Kiwi side claimed a thrilling 34-31 victory at GIO Stadium, scoring a try at the death before saving one with seconds remaining to hold onto a three-point win.

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It was statistically the biggest comeback for the Warriors in NRL history, with the New Zealand team coming back from a 31-10 deficit at the 50-minute mark.

But Stuart was visibly irate about something — most likely a dubious refereeing decision that saw the Warriors score a second-half try despite a blatant forward pass.

Match footage shows the 54-year-old throwing his arms in the air from the sidelines after Ben Murdoch-Masila’s controversial four-pointer.

On Sunday afternoon, The Daily Telegraph reported Stuart allegedly dropped an F-bomb in abuse of referee Henry Perenara, which the Canberra mentor vehemently denied.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart.

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“I didn’t go anywhere near him or say anything to him,” Stuart told the News Corp publication.

“Like 13 and a half thousand other people I was singing out and venting my frustration but it was not directed at any individual.”

According to the report, the NRL match review committee is checking video and audio footage before coming to a verdict.

Speaking to reporters after Saturday’s loss, Stuart fired off a 33-second rant before walking out of the press conference.

“I come in here because it’s my job,” Stuart said. “I respect the fact that you (journalists) have got a job and I’ve got $20,000 hanging over my head.

“If I don’t turn up here I get fined. If all the fine money was going to the Ricky Stuart Foundation I would tell you the truth today because I know that money is going to the best cause I know of.

“But I can’t tell you the truth, I can’t tell you the way that game panned out because I would get fined so I’m not going to answer any questions. I’ve done my job.”

Canberra will next face the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday evening.

Originally published as Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart reportedly under investigation for sideline behaviour

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/nrl/canberra-raiders-coach-ricky-stuart-reportedly-under-investigation-for-sideline-behaviour/news-story/6316bae88d439fbb364299b370fb1cca