Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart Q&A: Mission to name the NSW Blues five-eighth

Ricky Stuart admits he’ll miss coaching John Bateman, and the Raiders coach has a strong message for the players looking to fill the Englishman’s spot.

Ricky Stuart will look to rebound from an injury affected 2020 to return Canberra to the NRL grand final, but he tells DAVID RICCIO it’s also his mission to give the NSW State of Origin side its next five-eighth.

First question Ricky, when will we see your captain Jarrod Croker back? I reported in November the serious shoulder he suffered in the preliminary final and subsequent surgery he required, so can you give us the latest news?

Jarrod is a quick healer and if he was back for round one, that would be great. But I’m still going to find another centre during this pre-season to fill that position in case Jarrod takes a bit more time and misses a game or two.

Hopes are that Jarrod Croker will be fit for round 1

One option I wonder if you’re considering is moving Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad from fullback to centre, is that a possibility?

That’s an option, yes. He’s played international football at centre and did a really good job. I’ve got some good competition that’s been created by the rise of some of our younger players last season and I’m looking forward to seeing the fight for those centre, fullback positions.

So if Charnze is shifted to centre, even if momentarily, what are your fullback options?

We have a number of players who boast utility value and there’s three to four players who have the ability to play fullback.

That’s one way to answer a question without answering it, Rick. Any chance of some actual insight into what you’re thinking?

No Dave – because that’s the way I want it. I want to be reserved in my answer because every spot in our outside backs is open in 2021 and I want the players to chase those spots. I was disappointed with some of our play last year from our back five and they need to stand up and own the position this year. I want them to tell me who I pick over the pre-season.

Well said. Talk to me about the departure of John Bateman back to the UK, how do you cover his huge void?

I loved coaching John and we’ve lost a valuable team member on and off the field. But I’m hoping this time next year, our players have gone to another level and we haven’t heard how we’ve missed John.

Raiders forward Ryan James will prove a shrewd signing for the club

Who in your eyes steps up and replaces Bateman for the Raiders?

It’s the job of Hudson Young and Corey Harawira-Naera to fight for that right back-row spot. Elliott Whitehead on our left is an inspirational player to our team and I want my other right-edge back-rower replicating the contribution of Elliott Whitehead.

Josh Hodgson, when will we see him playing after you lost him in July to a season-ending knee injury?

Josh will be back to full-time training in January and he will be available for the pre-season trials. He’s worked hard off the field physically, so he’ll be ready to go again.

You’ve signed 28-year-old former Gold Coast prop Ryan James. He’s had some injury troubles, but I really sense that this could be a shrewd buy by your club. Why did you sign him?

I love his contribution to a game. I see him doing so much work off the football field. His contribution for 80 minutes in defence and with the footy for a middle forward is quite unique. He won’t have to play 80 minutes for us, he deserves some good luck (with injury) and Ryan is going to be a great asset to our squad.

What you were able to achieve with your halves combination of George Williams and Jack Wighton in their first season together was remarkable. Surely that chemistry would only be enhanced this year?

They’ve had one season together and we know time is the greatest influence for cohesion. They will continue to grow. Jack has only played five-eighth for two seasons and I’m going to make it my mission as a coach that he’s the five-eighth for NSW next year.

Should Jack Wighton be NSW Blues five-eighth?

That’s some sort of statement Ricky. I heard your voice change when you said that, why are you so determined about that point?

Because that’s where he should’ve played. I see it as my own challenge as a coach to have Jack improve at five-eighth again so that they have no choice to pick him as the Blues number six. That I know, will make NSW a better football team.

How confident are you that Jack can achieve that?

Very confident. He should’ve been there this year, so it’s only going to make more sense in 2021 with another 10 to 12 games under his belt at six.

The Raiders are the envy of the competition with their English recruits. You’ve got another one, this time an 18-year-old back-rower from Wigan called Harry Rushton. Tell us your plans for Harry.

He’s a lot younger than the boys we’ve recruited previously. But he’s a big, rangy backrower and I’m not going to rush him playing NRL. He’ll learn through our under 21s system and that will be hugely valuable for his progression.

Last one Ricky, you’ve gone to a grand final in 2019 and then a preliminary final in 2020, is the premiership window still open for the Raiders in 2021?

Absolutely it is – and it will be for the near future. We have a great balance of representative players, experience and youth. Winning competitions comes down to a number of ingredients and luck is one of those. We had no luck in 2020 and their resilience in that year to handle setbacks head-on has built an extremely mentally tough football team here.