NRL 2022: Ricky Stuart slams Canberra Raiders’ ‘pathetic’ fadeout against NQ Cowboys

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart tore his team apart after another second-half fadeout against the Cowboys saying he is sick of defending them. WATCH THE PRESSER

Tom Starling celebrates with Jack Wighton after scoring the Raiders’ opening try against the Cowboys. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart didn’t hold back on his players after they failed to score a point in another troubling second-half fadeout against the Cowboys in Canberra.

Cowboys boom back-rowers Heilum Luki and Jeremiah Nanai came up with two massive plays to seal a thrilling 18-12 comeback win over the Raiders, who once again gave up a convincing lead.

Canberra led 12-0 at half-time and appeared in complete control but basic errors and a complete reversal of form on their behalf was all the Cowboys needed to roar back into it.

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The Raiders lacked direction in the second stanza in another Jekyll and Hyde display, which didn’t please Stuart.

“I’m sick of defending playing 40 minutes of football,” the coach said. “The way we started that second half was pathetic and there were some individuals that didn’t start the way they needed to get us back on the front foot.

Says it all. #NRLRaidersCowboyspic.twitter.com/EkIPC9P58l

— Craig Norenbergs (@CraigNorenbergs) April 14, 2022

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was furious with his players after another second-half fadeout. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

“I will deal with that. I am sick of it. It was not NRL standard. We showed what we could do in the first 40 minutes and we were let down by our performance in the second half.”

Meantime, the Cowboys were brilliantly led by co-captain Jason Taumalolo, who ran for 227m and was the impetus behind the second half comeback, with great support from Holmes and fullback Scott Drinkwater.

“Jason is a leader though his actions,” Cowboys coach Todd Payten said of Taumalolo. “The players love having him on the park with them. He has got his motor going and has got a bit of continuity in his footy. He was really strong for us.

“We were hard on [building character] in the pre-season and throwing curve balls at the team at different stages with some mental challenges to equip them for the season ahead. We have some kids and they are still learning.”

COWBOY YOUNG GUNS

Before kick-off news emerged that the Cowboys had asked the Tigers if they would allow back-rower Luciano Leilua, signed to North Queensland from next year, to leave for Townsville early.

The Cowboys have a young pack, headlined by Nanai and Luki.

Both are starting their careers and learning some tough lessons but both are proving they have a huge play in them when a game is on the line.

Luki, standing at 195cm, crashed onto a pass near the line against the Raiders in the second half before Cowboys centre Val Holmes rampaged over from 20m. Nanai, just 19, scored his fifth of the year when he raced onto a Scott Drinkwater grubber to score.

Jason Taumalolo was outstanding for the Cowboys. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Luki has been re-signed by the Cowboys until the end of 2025 and his languid stride, strength and reach makes him a formidable proposition. With these two young guns on deck the Cowboys are never out of a game.

Payten said there were times Nanai looked tired but asked Chad Townsend and Peta Hiku to draw him back into the game with positive talk.

“He’s 19. He is going to have some ups and downs but I thought he played tough in that second half and did some classy things,” Payten said.

“ Some of his inside and kick pressure on Jack Wighton, and the way he moves off leads, is as good as I have seen, and he is really skilful with the ball.”

Jeremiah Nanai celebrates with teammates after scoring a crucial try for the Cowboys. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

RAIDERS NO.1 WOE

Raiders fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has struggled to recapture his best form this year and limped off in the 67th minute with a leg injury after an unhappy night.

That brought scintillating 19-year-old custodian Xavier Savage on for the fourth NRL game of his career in the final quarter and with his first involvement was taken into touch. He appeared to suffer a shoulder injury at the time and was out of position when Drinkwater’s kick sealed the deal.

It was an unhappy end to yet another disastrous second half for the Raiders.

PAPA PREACHES

Raiders prop Josh Papalii ran explosively for 113m in a dominant opening 30 minutes of the match and had two classy offloads in a stint that had leadership written all over it.

He chalked up his 245th career game for the Raiders, one ahead of club legend Laurie Daley, and now only behind Jarrod Croker (291) and Jason Croker (318).

Queensland coach Billy Slater would have been licking his lips at the display with Papalii integral to his Origin plans.

Stuart said Jack Wighton and Joe Tapine were in career-best form and that Papalii had one of his best games and “really took the lead”, but added that others in the team were well off the pace.

Originally published as NRL 2022: Ricky Stuart slams Canberra Raiders’ ‘pathetic’ fadeout against NQ Cowboys