Canberra Raiders lead race for Ricky Stuart's signature

THE NSWRL is under pressure to outlay up to $500,000 a year to retain Ricky Stuart as NSW coach - but it appears certain he will return to the NRL.

THE NSWRL is under increasing pressure to outlay up to $500,000 a year to retain Ricky Stuart as NSW coach - but it appears certain he will return to the NRL.

The Daily Telegraph understands Canberra are now outright favourites to sign Stuart, possibly for next season. There has also been mooted interest from the Sydney Roosters, the Dragons and Parramatta.

Stuart continues to remain silent on his future, claiming he is only focused on winning Origin III in Brisbane next Wednesday night.

NSW greats were united yesterday in calling on the NSWRL to increase the coach's pay packet from $150,000 to $500,000 a season.

Even ANZ Stadium chief executive Daryl Kerry entered the debate yesterday, saying: "We should be doing everything we can to keep him in the role."

Stuart has been credited with re-building NSW's culture and passion. Raiders coach David Furner - a mate of Stuart - has experienced a difficult season though a string injuries and players out-of-form. His future at Canberra remains cloudy.

Stuart told a Canberra radio station during the week that he one day wanted to coach the Raiders - but wasn't sure exactly when.

"They should pay Ricky what a full-time NRL coach gets," said Steve Roach, who played 17 games for NSW. "He has single-handedly rebuilt Origin.

"That's not putting down the efforts of any previous coaches. They did great jobs but Ricky has put back the sting back into Origin. He understands what Origin is."

David Gillespie, who played 15 matches for NSW, said money shouldn't be an issue.

"They have to find the money to keep Ricky as NSW coach. He has reinvented Origin for NSW players.

"If they have to pay him $500,000 a series, then so be it."

Kerry said Stuart had taken Origin passion to a new level.

"Ricky Stuart has done a phenomenal job in raising the profile of Origin in Sydney and I think we should be doing everything we can to keep him in the role," Kerry said.

"If Ricky wants to vacate the Blues' coaching job to pursue other challenges at club level, then let's wish him well. But is there anything we can do to keep him in the role?

"Look where Origin is now. It ranks alongside some of the great sporting rivalries in the world. The atmosphere at ANZ Stadium for Origin II when 83,110 fans packed into the venue was fantastic."

Greg Alexander, an ex-Penrith and NSW champion, also backed Stuart's retention.

"No doubt Ricky has been an integral part of creating an Origin culture from NSW's point of view," Alexander said. "He would certainly be a loss."