Canberra on right path despite grand final loss, says Ricky Stuart
After Canberra’s grand final defeat, Ricky Stuart could have hidden from the world. Instead he went on a journey. And now the Raiders coach opens up about his time with Eddie Jones, the NRL’s decision-makers – and that six again call.
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Ricky Stuart is still hurting from the Canberra Raiders’ controversial grand final loss to the Sydney Roosters and has called on the NRL to fix its refereeing mess.
But in his first interview since returning home from the rugby union World Cup in Japan as a guest of England super coach Eddie Jones, Stuart says his time with the former Wallabies mentor has re-energised him.
“It was a really tough week after the grand final,” Stuart said. “A very empty feeling and I really didn’t feel up to going away.
“I was lacking energy to do anything. I could easily have sat at home and sulked.”
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THE LOSS
Nearly a month after the grand final, the pain is still there.
“Absolutely I’m still hurting,” Stuart said. “You don’t lose that feeling in a few weeks but it’s a hurt that motivates me.
“I think about it every day. It’s an empty feeling, but we’re not feeling sorry for ourselves.
“It was there to win but we didn’t. By early March we’ll be ready to go again. I can assure you motivation won’t be a problem.”
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THE ‘SIX AGAIN’ BLUNDER
Stuart is not at all dirty on referee Ben Cummins but is critical of the NRL and wants an overhaul.
“I honestly felt sorry for Ben Cummins,” he said. “He didn’t go out there to make an error.
“It’s the process and structure around our referees that’s wrong. They have to take the voices out of the referee’s ears. It’s an information overload.
“There are two refs, touch judges, a coach in the stand and the bunker all talking in the heat of the moment.
“We need to have more faith and trust in the head referee. There is too much technology interfering with them and the decision-making process.
“When I was a halfback, the trainer would come on and I’d tell him to go away. If I’m constantly in the ears of our halves, they will tell Whitey (trainer Brett White) to piss off.
“People need to be left to make their own decisions. It’s why Bill Harrigan was the greatest referee of all time. He would make a decision and stand firm on it.”
THE NRL
Stuart is concerned the administration ignores the coaches.
“Coaches are rarely listened to,” he said. “That’s why I don’t go to the coaches’ meetings.
“They prefer their rules committee, which I believe has nowhere near the experience or expertise in the current game as the coaches.
“They would do a fan poll or survey rather than listen to coaches. Mind you, the public deserves an opinion and should be listened to. We don’t have a game without them.”
EDDIE JONES
Stuart was blown away by the professionalism Jones has instilled into England, which has them on the verge of winning the World Cup.
“Eddie is not satisfied with what he already knows about rugby,” Stuart said. “He’s continuing his learning all the time. He is always looking for a new idea or an edge. He asked a lot about the NRL and what we do in Canberra.
“His attention to detail and his preparation, his man management and the environment around the players is unbelievably sound and professional.
“His staff and players are like him, very grounded. There was no one there with an attitude of self-importance. That’s what I try to promote at the Raiders.
“It’s not about an individual, it’s about the team. He reminds me very much of Tim Sheens. Very realistic and very humble. And a very motivated person.”
AGAINST AUSTRALIA
Stuart found himself in Japan the same week England were preparing for the quarter-final against the Wallabies.
This was planned much earlier in the year, around March. Nigel Ashley-Jones (Raiders head of performance) and Matty Ford (Raiders football manager) accompanied Stuart.
He said the week leading up to the Wallabies game was not uncomfortable.
“People who know me would never question my loyalty to Australia and the green and gold,” he said. “I just saw it as a business opportunity.
“I’m a professional coach looking at other operations and strategies. This was planned long before we knew England would be playing the Wallabies.
“It’s not as if I helped out. I was an observer. I’ve been fortunate enough to have had previous experience with Steve Hansen and the All Blacks as well. And I’m a better coach for the experience.”
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WHAT HE GAINED
“The way Eddie, the coaching staff and the players welcomed us was amazing,” he said.
“I learnt a lot. They have some really interesting concepts. It would be wrong for me to be giving away Eddie’s secrets and strategies.
“Their openness was fantastic and so accommodating and professional. Suddenly, after not wanting to be there, I was motivated and re-energised.
“It was wonderful in regards to what we got out of it. Comparing our program to England’s gave us great confidence that we’re doing things right. It showed we’re on the right track with our players and our coaching.
“From the processes and programs Eddie has put together, I can assure you it’s no fluke that they are having success. It was really enlightening.”
Originally published as Canberra on right path despite grand final loss, says Ricky Stuart
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