Ricky Stuart backs rising Broncos star Coby Black to succeed when he joins the Raiders

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has praised boom Broncos teenager Coby Black, backing the rising halfback to succeed in Canberra amid speculation he could leave Brisbane early.

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart insists Coby Black is the real deal and has backed the boom Broncos teenager to develop into a matchwinning NRL playmaker at the Raiders.

One split-second act from Black during this year’s State of Origin under-19s clash convinced Stuart the emerging halfback has the game smarts to forge a successful career in the NRL.

Black dropped a bombshell on the Broncos a fortnight ago when he opted to quit the club at the end of next season to chase his NRL dreams at the Raiders.

The Broncos had big plans for Black, having groomed the 19-year-old for the past two seasons as a potential halfback successor to champion skipper Adam Reynolds, who is tipped to retire next year.

But Brisbane’s signing of Jonah Pezet for 2027 was seen as a career-damaging roadblock at Red Hill for Black, who moved to ink a two-year contract with reigning minor premiers in the Raiders.

Coby Black in action for the Queensland Under 19 team in 2024.

Stuart is one of the greatest halfbacks in rugby league history and the former NSW and Australia No.7 believes Black has what it takes to be a long-term playmaker in the nation’s capital.

“I see a good organising halfback in Coby,” Stuart said.

“He plays on the ruck, we have a running style of team and I see him in a very similar style to Ethan Sanders (Canberra’s other halfback option).

“They both like to own the ruck and they have runners outside them.

“Coby is the style of halfback that will suit the way we play because we have runners on the edges. We need a halfback to control the ruck and get the ball to our runners out wide.

“I also like Coby’s boot, he has a very strong kicking game. He is only young but as time goes forward we will be in a position to keep coaching and teaching him.”

Stuart says history shows he’s not afraid to give youth a chance – the rest is up to them.

“I’m not a coach who doesn’t have the courage to play a kid. If he shows me he is physically and mentally ready, I will pick him,” he said.

“We will give Coby Black every opportunity to succeed.”

Stuart likes halves with instinct and he saw that in Black during this year’s junior Origin fixture.

The Queensland under-19s were leading their NSW counterparts 12-6. There were 30 seconds until halftime. Black calmly stepped up to snap a one-pointer to give the Maroons a crucial 13-6 advantage going into halftime.

Black then scored 60 seconds after the break for a 17-6 lead. Queensland ultimately won 23-22. Black’s one pointer proved the difference.

Ricky Stuart says Black is the real deal and has backed him to succeed at the Raiders. Picture: Getty Images

“I loved the footy IQ that Coby had in regards to taking his team to 13-6 in the State of Origin under-19s,” Stuart said.

“There was no set-up for that, it was down purely to his footy intelligence and I love halves taking ownership of that moment.

“He reminds me of that old style of halfback who can control the ruck and rely on his runners outside him.

“Ethan Sanders is a very polished young player as well and I need to get depth in the halves and in our spine.

“Competition for spots is one thing but it’s also a safety net for injuries which invariably happen in this game.”

The Broncos have had big wraps on Black for some time.

He played in a senior Broncos pre-season trial 18 months ago and then famously scored 46 points, from two tries and 19 goals, as his Burleigh Bears side whipped Wide Bay 130-0 in a Mal Meninga Cup clash in April 2024.

Underlining his commitment, Black is a non-drinker.

The Broncos signing of Jonah Pezet in 2027 was seen as a career-damaging roadblock for Black. Picture: Supplied/Parramatta Eels,

On Thursday, he was spotted at Broncos training alone, repeatedly kicking balls in the brutal Brisbane heat in a sign of his desire to make it to the top.

There are whispers Black could be released early to join Canberra immediately, but Stuart is happy for the rookie to serve his apprenticeship with the premiers.

“We have signed him for 2027 and I am happy for him to be learning under the guidance of Adam Reynolds who Coby has a great relationship with,” Stuart said.

“It’s only going to be better for Coby to be learning under Adam and Ben Hunt, it will be good for his maturity and growth.

“I don’t expect him to join us earlier. He is only 19 so he’s got plenty of time to develop.

“We’re about developing a player off the field as much as on it. My attitude is that better men become better footballers.

“It all happened very quickly because the Broncos had signed Jonah Pezet, then Coby’s management and our recruitment team spoke and I sat down with his parents.”

Stuart revealed they had an intimate chat about a 19-year-old boy moving away from home.

“Four nights later, Coby rang me and said: ‘I’m a Raider’,” he said.

“We are one of the best clubs in the competition at looking after players’ welfare. I understand it’s a big move for Coby, I know he is a good young man and we will look after him.”

Originally published as Ricky Stuart backs rising Broncos star Coby Black to succeed when he joins the Raiders