Ricky Stuart lashes out at critics after NRL bans Hudson Young
First it was Ben Ikin, now we can reveal the other “vicious” critics Ricky Stuart took aim at in the wake of their criticism of Hudson Young and his eight-week eye-gouging ban.
Raiders
Don't miss out on the headlines from Raiders. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Angry Canberra coach Ricky Stuart labelled critics of Hudson Young “vicious” after the Raiders forward was suspended for eight games at an highly charged NRL judiciary hearing last night.
Stuart was furious with rugby league commentators — primarily NRL 360’s Ben Ikin — who he claimed have “sarcastically questioned my integrity and attacked my character”.
But now it can be revealed that Stuart’s spray was also directed at former players Brett Finch and Reni Maitua for their criticism of Young, who was found guilty of a dangerous contact charge after eye-gouging Warriors back Adam Pompey.
Stream the 2019 NRL Telstra Premiership on KAYO SPORTS. Every game of every round Live & On-Demand on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Get your 14 day free trial >
Late Tuesday night after hearing the verdict, Stuart launched at extraordinary attack on former players who demanded Young be banned from anything between six months to more than a year.
“I’m confused with some of the characters that our broadcasters employ who have viciously attacked Hudson Young,” Stuart said.
“They have forgotten their past very quickly.”
While he refused to name them, Raiders insiders have confirmed to The Daily Telegraph that Stuart’s stern words were reserved for Finch and Maitua.
Finch was commentating the Raiders-Warriors game and erupted upon seeing the footage, declaring: “He could go anywhere from 12-20 weeks. Why shouldn’t he? He’s done it before ... he went for two cracks at it. George Burgess got eight weeks. That’s really poor, we don’t need that in our game. It’s a disgraceful act in my opinion.”
Apologies to my English friends 4 suggesting Hudson Young would be sent back to the uk. That’s poor research on my behalf. To suggest he’d leave in aâ€body bagâ€was an emotional comment not to be taken literally. However,I stand by my comments in terms of the nature of the incident https://t.co/5mOisdBWvL
— Reni Maitua (@renimaitua) September 9, 2019
Maitua told Fox Sports News Young would have “left the field in a body bag” had he committed a similar act while he was playing.
“I’m lost for words. I think it’s absolutely disgusting. He will get a long suspension and people are saying 20 weeks,” Maitua said.
“So if this kid is suspended for 15 to 20 weeks, the Raiders won’t be paying him. Who’s going to pay his wages for something as stupid as that? He’ll be on the next plane to England.”
Stuart then took aim at ex-Bears, Brisbane and Gold Coast player Ikin, who remarked that “Ricky Stuart’s said it’s not an eye gouge’’ on Fox League’s NRL 360.
“I cop the judiciary verdict but don’t agree with it. And I don’t appreciate Ben Ikin on Fox Sports sarcastically questioning my integrity saying in a jovial manner that Ricky Stuart believes that Hudson Young didn’t eye gouge Pompey,” Stuart told The Daily Telegraph.
“I would not support Hudson if I thought he eye gouged Pompey.
“Ben Ikin needs to do his research as a journalist — something he is lacking in remembering that the last time Hudson had this issue (an eye gouge on Canterbury’s Aidan Tolman earlier this season) I showed no remorse or support for his actions.
“I’m an honest bloke and Ikin tried to play the ‘coach looking after his player’ card which I believe from his so called standing in the game is unprofessional in attacking my character.”
When informed of Stuart’s spray Ikin chose not to comment.
Young was gutted, saying: “I’m disappointed but accept my punishment and have to learn from it.”
A one-word slip-up from a New Zealand star witness also inadvertently helped bury Young.
Young was staunch in his denial of the charge throughout the hearing with Pompey called to give evidence from Auckland via video link. Pompey gave a series of one-word answers strongly denying he was eye gouged by Young.
But the circuit breaker came at the end of Pompey’s evidence when NRL counsel Peter McGrath asked whether he lived by the time-honoured player theory of ‘what happens on the field, stays on the field?
Pompey replied: “Yeah.”
McGrath quickly thanked Pompey and the video link ended.
Young, who was referred directly to the panel, was adamant he did not make contact with Pompey’s eyes.
“I was trying to grab anything to prevent the try and hold him up,” Young said. “I felt I grabbed his face and (then) slipped off his face. I had to get my hand under there as fast as I could to try and allow enough time for Nick (Cotric, Canberra teammate) to hold him up.
“I could feel contact with his face and tried to rip my hand out as fast as I could. My fingers were stuck together (with tape) and I couldn’t really straighten them. I felt his face and pulled away as soon as I felt it.
“I never felt his eye or eye socket. I was doing my best to save the try. I’d know if I had someone in the eye.”
In cross examination, NRL counsel Peter McGrath asked: “Did you get a grip of Pompey’s eye socket?
Young: “At no point did I feel his eyes.”
Pompey denied Young touched his eyes.
Young’s counsel Nick Ghabar: Was there pressure on your eyes?
Pompey: “No.”
Gharbar: Did you have any pain in your eyes?
Pompey: “Nup.”
Gharbar: Did you feel any fingers in your eye?
Pompey: “Nup. I didn’t feel anything at all. I felt people on me.”
Originally published as Ricky Stuart lashes out at critics after NRL bans Hudson Young