‘F**k off’: Ricky Stuart blows up on sideline, in press conference

Ricky Stuart is known for his prickly press conferences but the Raiders coach delivered both barrels in an all-time blow up.

Stuart was far from happy. Photo: Fox Sports

Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has delivered another furious press conference after the Raiders lost 29-18 to the Broncos in a controversial match at GIO Stadium.

The result sees the Broncos go to the top of the NRL ladder, while the Raiders now need a win against the Sharks in round 27 to ensure the side plays finals football.

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As the time ran out and the Raiders had several calls going against them, Stuart’s anger was starting to build and a video caught by Fox Sports showed a sign of things to come.

There was no sound on the video but it didn’t take a professional lip reader to see what he said to the camera man.

This presser could be one for the ages #NRLRaidersBroncospic.twitter.com/KS0aNIkNiy

— Martin Gabor (@MartinJGabor) August 26, 2023

But it was the tip of the iceberg as Stuart took a long while to get into the press conference and was still not a happy man.

He said at the end of the press conference that the NRL were calling the Raiders media manager and asking why he wasn’t in the presser.

“The reason I’m not in this press conference earlier … is because I’m p*ssed off because people aren’t doing their jobs properly,” he said.

It was a fiery press conference as Stuart was still fuming after the match.

Reporter: “That was an arm-wrestle of a game with some contentious calls. How did you see it?”

Stuart: “Contentious? I told you outside what I thought and you agreed. If I tell you now again what I said out there, I’ll get fined so I’m better off not saying a word.”

When asked about a moment late in the game when it was 24-18 to the Broncos when Hudson Young was penalised for an escort on a short drop out for minimal interference with Selwyn Cobbo.

The Hudson Young penalty. Photo: Fox Sports

The ball was batted back and went to the Raiders, which would have given them a full set in the Broncos red zone.

But Stuart, while he was clearly furious about that from the reaction to the cameraman, it wasn’t the only call.

“It wasn’t just that call mate,” Stuart said. “It went for 80 minutes.”

Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead added: “I try not to get frustrated at the referees, but with some of the calls tonight, I tended to get frustrated at them. Like Ricky said, it’s best not saying anything myself because I don’t want a fine either.”

When Stuart was asked about sin bin of Jordan Rapana after he lashed out with his boot at Cobbo who had stepped inside to score a try, he gave another cold response.

“Doesn’t matter what my view is,” Stuart said. “Same as with Hudson’s.”

A reporter tried to change the tone of the press conference, asking about the Raiders’ performance in the first half and found some “dynamic attack”.

But when asked what he saw, Stuart responded: “Yeah, that.”

Elliott Whitehead's face says it all. Photo: Fox Sports

Reporter: “Is it the sort of footy that makes you think there’s plenty to go in the season for the side?”

Stuart: “Yeah.”

Elliott was trying to play the peacekeeper when he gave his view, but the next question was about the send off the Raiders’ faithful gave referee Adam Gee and the officials and Stuart let go with both barrels when asked about his message to the fans.

“Why do you reckon they do it?” he started.

“Why do you reckon little old ladies are sitting up in their chair going off their head?

“You’ve had a bad day. When little old ladies are going off their head, you’ve had a bad day.”

Reporter: “What can you do about it?”

Stuart: “I can’t do nothing. You’ve just got to cop it.”

Reporter: “Do you contact the NRL and get some explanations?”

Stuart: “Jared Maxwell is a very good operator, he is a very good boss of the referees.

“I reckon the power has been taken off Jared in a number of areas, because they aren’t improving and Jared was a very intelligent ref. I think he is a very good boss of the referees.

“I honestly believe there has been a lot of power taken off him.

When questioned again about the Young penalty, Stuart held back but made his simmering anger clear.

“Every escort is going to be exactly the same as Hudson’s, but why does it go against us? As it did here three or four weeks ago.

“It happens every game on these escorts, I don’t understand why it has been us. Or I do understand but that’s probably the part I can’t talk about.”