Stuart resigns before being pushed

Ricky Stuart has stood down from his post as coach of the Australian rugby league team. Stuart’s decision was announced in a statement this afternoon.

It follows two weeks of intense scrutiny as Stuart was investigated over an abusive outburst at referee Ashley Klein and match officials director Stuart Cummings in a Brisbane hotel lobby the day after Australia’s shock Rugby League World Cup loss to New Zealand.

Stuart was fined $20,000 by World Cup organisers for his actions on Monday.

And his decision not to seek reappointment came ahead of an Australian Rugby League (ARL) board meeting on Tuesday which was to consider the matter.

“Ricky Stuart today informed the Australian Rugby League that he would not make himself available to coach the Kangaroos in 2009,” ARL chairman Colin Love said in the statement.

Stuart, said it was a tough call to make.

“This has been the most difficult decision to make in view of the great honour and enjoyment that comes from coaching our national team,” Stuart said.

“I believe that making this decision is in the best interests of the game and for me personally.

“In view of the circumstances it was the only decision.

“The penalty that has been handed down has been accepted by me as fair and reasonable.

“There are some elements of the fine that I could debate but in the best interests of the game it is time to move on and leave them unchallenged.

Stuart said he has apologised to everyone involved in the incident.

Stuart had his first chance to review the report into the incident, put together by Robert Weber SC, on Monday.

Weber’s report was damning, finding that Stuart had come into physical contact with Cummings and his abuse of both officials while not loud was “littered with profanities”.

Love said that in the statement that Stuart had made an outstanding contribution to the profile and performance of the Kangaroos since 1986.

“In many ways his actions today have underlined his commitment to the ideals he has set for the Kangaroos,” Love said.

“In a clear error of judgment Ricky acted inappropriately and he has conceded that from the outset.”

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Read Spiro Zavos’s call for Stuart’s sacking.

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