NRL 2023: Ricky Stuart reveals innuendo around Jack Wighton’s exit ‘got to me’

He’s known for his passion but Ricky Stuart has never before been reduced to tears in public. This is what tipped him over the edge this weekend.

WAGGA WAGGA, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 29: Jack Wighton of the Raiders celebrates scoring a try with teammates during the round nine NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and Dolphins at McDonalds Park on April 29, 2023 in Wagga Wagga, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

An “embarrassed” Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has revealed why he broke down in public on Saturday, claiming misleading innuendo over why Jack Wighton quit the club “got to me.”

Stuart – known for his tough demeanour – spoke through tears about Wighton’s highly scrutinised defection to Souths at a mandatory press conference after Saturday’s 31-30 golden point win over the Dolphins in Wagga.

Declaring “we all love Jack,” Stuart was forced to pause several times during a raw press conference to compose himself. Clearly aware his coach was struggling emotionally, Raiders media manager Ben Pollock cut short the media conference.

Stuart, 56, known for showing passion and adoration for his players and club, has never been reduced to tears publicly since making his Raiders playing debut back in 1988.

“I feel embarrassed about the press conference – I didn’t like it,” Stuart said on Sunday. “I hate being emotional in public, whether it’s happy or sad.

“Jack, the club and myself have had a long association.

An emotional Ricky Stuart during Canberra’s post-match presser.

“As much as I am comfortable with Jack making the decision to leave, because I understand why he did it for himself and his family, and I totally get it, to say that I wasn’t disappointed would mean I didn’t care about the bloke.

“There has been a lot of speculation and innuendo out there in regards to why Jack is leaving. There have been four or five reasons put out there and they’re not right.

“At the end of the day, it just got to me. It was the end of a big week.”

There was a well-worn theory Wighton wanted to leave to win a premiership, an achievement he allegedly couldn’t attain at Canberra. Wighton vehemently denied this.

Pressed to reveal the exact speculation which upset him, Stuart said: “No, that’s all I will say.”

Stuart, known for being old-school, took time on Sunday to speak openly about the spotlight and focus that goes with his job.

“I hate being on TV when I’m on the sideline – I don’t like it and I don’t like being that public figure,” Stuart said. “I act like an everyday normal bloke outside my job and that’s the way I prefer to be.

“But unfortunately I can’t be (an everyday normal bloke) in regards to my position. Personally, I don’t want to be on the stage.

“I couldn’t give a stuff about being scrutinised – that doesn’t worry because I know who I am.”

Canberra Raiders’ Jack Wighton emotional after the golden-point win over the Dolphins.

Wighton was in tears on-field after full time.

“It was hard for Ricky and Jack on Saturday because the cameras were on both of them the whole time. I would say it took a toll on both of them,” said Raiders chief executive Don Furner.

“It’s unscripted drama and it’s real life. You can see what being in the spotlight can do. The game was emotional too. The relief of winning a close game – we lost the first two games this year on the bell – added to the emotion.”

During the Saturday press conference, Stuart spoke about the emotional week before and after Wighton’s decision to leave.

“No one on the outside understands how Don and myself have (had) to protect the club, no one on the outside understands the pressure Jack has been under,” Stuart said.

“Only hear the hearsay and there’s so much lies and innuendo in regards to why Jack is leaving, he is going for a change ... and I get that, I really do.”

Wighton, Stuart in tears as thrilling win caps emotional week

—Travis Meyn

Jack Wighton and Ricky Stuart were in tears after the Raiders survived another Dolphins comeback to clinch a 31-30 golden point thriller in Wagga Wagga on Saturday afternoon.

Wighton put a fortnight of turmoil behind him with a slick performance to help Canberra register a third straight win in dramatic fashion.

But it didn’t come easy as Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins fought back from an 18-0 deficit to set up a grandstand extra-time finish.

Unlike last week’s record-equalling win against the Titans, the Dolphins fell short as Canberra halfback Jamal Fogarty kicked the first field goal of his career.

It capped a turbulent week for the Raiders and their Dally M champion Wighton.

Jack Wighton put a fortnight of turmoil behind him with a slick performance. Picture: Getty Images

WIGHTON’S WEEK

Wighton has been hammered by trolls, racially vilified and been the centre of controversy after signing a four-year contract with South Sydney.

But you can’t question his commitment to the Green Machine in what will be his 14th and final year with the Raiders.

The Kangaroos star was at his best in a sizzling start to the match, slicing and dicing the Dolphins to help the Raiders open up an 18-0 lead.

It should have been a match-winning buffer, but instead the Raiders fumbled and bumbled their way to a sloppy golden point victory.

Wighton came to tears in an emotional post-game interview with Fox League.

“It’s been a very tough week, a couple of massive decisions and that. To come and do this with the brothers is big,” he said.

An emotional Jack Wighton broke down in tears after Canberra’s win over the Dolphins.

“They’re good boys, I love them all.

“That’s what it’s all about. I’ve had 14 years…finish here strong, make memories and enjoy it.”

Raiders coach Stuart was also emotional in the post-game press conference.

“No one on the outside understands the pressure Jack’s had on him,” he said.

“They only hear the hearsay. There’s so many lies and innuendo as to why Jack’s leaving.

“He’s going for a change, he’s been here for a long time and I get that, I really do.

“We all love him. If we weren’t hurt by it, we don’t care about him, we don’t care about the club.

“Am I pissed off he’s going? Yeah I am. But that’s his decision.

“I couldn’t be prouder of my playing group and Jack. It took a big effort.”

Canberra Raiders star Jack Wighton. Picture: NRL Photos

Ricky Stuart was also emotional in the post-game press conference.

DETERMINED DOLPHINS

Bennett joked on match-eve that he’d given the Dolphins sleeping tablets after last week’s incredible comeback against the Titans from 26-0 down and would wake them up before the Raiders game.

He must have forgotten.

The Dolphins looked like they were still asleep in the first half as the Raiders burst out of the blocks with a faultless start.

Redcliffe didn’t have a set with the ball until the ninth minute of the game and were already trailing 10-0 following quick-fire tries to Jarrod Croker and Wighton.

When they finally got the ball, they knocked on while attacking Canberra’s line and didn’t get down there again before Jordan Rapana scored to make it 18-0 after 23 minutes.

Luckily for the Dolphins, the Raiders are inconsistent and quickly let them back into the game.

Euan Aitken barged over and within five minutes Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored his ninth try of the season to make it 18-12.

The Dolphins continued their surge in the second half, with boom backrower Connelly Lemuelu bagging a double before captain Jesse Bromwich made it 30-all.

The Raiders bombed several field goal opportunities before a slice of luck gifted them a set restart and Fogarty nailed his second attempt.

“We let ourselves down with our start,” Bromwich said.

“We seem to lack energy and desire. That’s just an attitude thing for me. We’ve got to look at ourselves.

“We know what our strengths are. Starting like that, you’re never going to be in the game.

“There’s going to be some discussions about why we can’t get the job done at the start of the game.

Originally published as NRL 2023: Ricky Stuart reveals innuendo around Jack Wighton’s exit ‘got to me’