Ricky Stuart says Corey Harawira-Naera and Corey Horsburgh have lost their place in Raiders team

Ricky Stuart has hit Corey Harawira-Naera and Corey Horsburgh hard following the pair’s drink-driving charges.

Canberra NRL coach Ricky Stuart has dropped Corey Harawira-Naera and Corey Horsburgh from his Raiders team.

Ricky Stuart has declared Canberra forwards Corey Harawira-Naera and Corey Horsburgh have lost their spot in his team after the duo were caught drink driving.

An unrelenting Stuart has taken his own stance against the key forwards before any likely punishment from the NRL.

“It’s not my job to keep a position in this team – it’s their job,’’ Stuart said.

“And they haven’t given themselves a real good head start.

“They know it was a bad choice and very disappointing to say the least.

“One thing in the NRL is, there is always someone to take your spot.

“I’ll leave them to take care of their court case because I’ve got other players that need to be ready for round one.”

Canberra NRL coach Ricky Stuart has dropped Corey Harawira-Naera and Corey Horsburgh from his Raiders team.

Harawira-Naera was caught drink driving with a mid-range reading by ACT Police on Christmas Eve while Horsburgh was charged after recording a low-range reading on January 3.

Interestingly, it’s the latter who has secured a hearing date of February 23 at the Canberra Magistrates Court yet Harawira-Naera is still waiting for his court date.

Undoubtedly, Harawira-Naera has the most to lose.

The 25-year-old was sacked by the Bulldogs and deregistered by the NRL following an investigation into their behaviour during the Bulldogs’ pre-season trip to Port Macquarie in late February.

The Raiders gave Harawira-Naera a shot at redemption halfway through last season after he had his deregistration overturned by the NRL Appeals Committee, later revealing that he had given up drinking after experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Corey Harawira-Naera was given a shot at redemption by the Raiders. Pic: NRL Imagery

The NRL are likely to suspend the duo for the opening round of the season with Harawira-Naera facing a lengthier three-game ban.

Asked if felt disappointed in the duo, Stuart replied: “I feel disappointed for their teammates, not the individual.”

Elliott Whitehead and Hudson Young will start the season in the Raiders pack leaving Harawira-Naera and Horsburgh to fight their way back into the starting 17.

One of the premiership heavyweights for 2021, Stuart has deep forward stocks with Josh Papalii, Joseph Tapine, Emre Guler, Ryan Sutton, Sia Soliola, Dunamis Lui, Siliva Havili, Darby Medlyn, Harry Rushton and Titans recruit Ryan James at his disposal.