‘He’s a weak-gutted dog’: Shark’s enforcer goes nuclear on rival

An NRL enforcer has launched a scathing attack at a rival player after they came to blows during a heated clash on Sunday.

Royce Hunt slaps Corey Horsburgh

Cronulla enforcer Royce Hunt has sensationally labelled Raiders prop Corey Horsburgh a “weak-gutted dog” quoting Ricky Stuart’s infamous press conference.

Hunt was sent to the bin for striking 50 minutes into the Sharks’ clash with Canberra on Sunday, retaliating after he was held in the scrum by his opposing man.

The 27-year-old has now pencilled in their Round 27 rematch and made it clear he thought poorly of Horsburgh’s actions.

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“As Ricky Stuart would say, he’s a weak-gutted dog,” Hunt said at a press conference.

“We’ll get him next game.”

Hunt also accused Horsburgh of hiding behind Jack Wighton after he was pushed onto his back, attempting to exit the scrum, stating “we’ll see if he fronts up”.

“I have never seen a front-rower hide behind a halfback,” Hunt said.

“You can’t just hold me in and push me over and not expect anything. I was a bit upset about that.

“It is what it is, it’s rugby league. We get on with it and bash him next game.”

Royce Hunt slaps Corey Horsburgh

The front row pair have been teammates in the past, playing together for Mt Pritchard in NSW Cup five years ago.

Speaking after his side’s 24-20 loss on Sunday, Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon also said his prop shouldn’t have been held in the scrum.

However, he lamented Hunt’s actions in putting pressure on his team.

“You can’t just hold onto someone from the back of a scrum, push them over… but you can’t do what Royce did so it should have been picked up by someone before Royce retaliated,” Fitzgibbon said.

“Royce shouldn’t have retaliated like that, especially not while we were defending our goal line.

“So Royce will get a lesson in that but you can’t hold someone back from a scrum, push them over then get away scot-free while we lose Royce for 10 minutes.”

Originally published as ‘He’s a weak-gutted dog’: Shark’s enforcer goes nuclear on rival