Blues players call for Stuart to stay
Ricky Stuart illustration by David Green Cartoonist
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NSW enforcer Greg Bird has implored Ricky Stuart to remain as Blues coach to stop Queensland’s State of Origin dominance in 2013.
Stuart would not immediately commit to staying in his post next year in the aftermath of Wednesday night’s 21-20 series-deciding loss to the Maroons at Suncorp Stadium.
The former NRL premiership-winning mentor hinted he had unfinished business in the job following successive 2-1 series defeats but is expected to be targeted by a number of NRL clubs.
“I absolutely love this,” Stuart said after the loss. “I don’t love this moment right now.
“But I haven’t really thought about it right now.”
Second-rower Bird, again among NSW’s best in a rugged display, said the NSWRL needed to do all it could to keep Stuart at his post despite a seventh straight series loss.
“I think it’s massively important,” the Titans utility said. “He’s got us this far and I think if a few things go our way next year we can hopefully turn the tide.
“They are beatable. We had them 20-all in the decider so they are beatable.”
Stuart spoke to his players on the field and in the dressing sheds after the epic match.
“We were saying stick tight and stick close because we’ve been very tight for the last six matches,” Bird said. “What Ricky has come in and done to this team has been massive.
“We’re a very tight unit and a close bunch of mates.
“I’m very proud of the boys and it was never going to be easy after Melbourne (losing game one).”
A dejected Bird, who finished with a black eye and pectoral injury, was among three Blues players who are in doubt for the weekend’s NRL action.
Stand-out hooker Robbie Farah will be assessed after copping a first-half head knock while winger Jarryd Hayne has been ruled out for Parramatta due to a foot problem.
Queensland appeared to come through the bruising encounter unscathed but winger Brent Tate received a grade one striking charge for a second minute incident involving Bird.
He will be free to play for the Cowboys even if he contests the charge and is found guilty.
“I did cop a whack but that’s what happens in games,” Bird said.
“I’ve got no bad feelings about it. It’s what happens in football games and sometimes players get suspended for it and other times they don’t.”
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July 5th 2012 @ 8:36am
WoobliesFan said | July 5th 2012 @ 8:36am | Report comment
As a QLDer I’d love him to stay
July 5th 2012 @ 9:03am
Dayer said | July 5th 2012 @ 9:03am | Report comment
Who cares!!!!!
July 5th 2012 @ 9:32am
Riccardo said | July 5th 2012 @ 9:32am | Report comment
x2
July 5th 2012 @ 9:03am
db swannie said | July 5th 2012 @ 9:03am | Report comment
As a QLDR he can stay for as long as he wants.
His puzzling selections of Pearce & Creagh are delightful.
July 5th 2012 @ 9:07am
Gav said | July 5th 2012 @ 9:07am | Report comment
So are the QLD players.
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July 5th 2012 @ 10:59am
tonysalerno said | July 5th 2012 @ 10:59am | Report comment
I would love to see Stuart stay- but the debate will rise again; can a coach balance club and state commitments?
( that is if Stuart gets the Raiders job- which he is very strongly linked to)
July 5th 2012 @ 12:03pm
john rhind said | July 5th 2012 @ 12:03pm | Report comment
ricky has brought back the hate back, that has been alway there for queensland
July 5th 2012 @ 1:48pm
Carlos said | July 5th 2012 @ 1:48pm | Report comment
He should stay he has done a fantastic job to get the blues so close the reality is that QLD have a huge start on NSW and should be winning by much more…there is something there maybe arrogance or a complacency?
If you take out the Hodges no try try and the Inglis no try try, The Blues have a very different series.
On this, the refs need reviewing the standard is appalling last nights game is another in a long line of origin games marred by its adjudication.
There are too many bizarre calls and inconsistencies, an example was the supposed Lewis forward pass (similar to the Pierce forward pass of last year) if that was forward he should have called the 2 dozen or so identical passes prior to that. The bizarre ruck penalties have to stop Archer is the worst with these. If the Lewis ruck infringement was a penalty then there should have been about 40 others prior to that. These two calls were huge in the context of the game and played a critical role in the result
If contact with the head is a penalty it should be penalized every time. Shilligton was a penalty Williams was a penalty but why is one on report not the other and why were the numerous other high shots let go
if Jennings was binned in one game for coming in and throwing a punch Tate should have been binned last night and you could keep going on.
The bottom line is, the game is so competitive, the stakes are so high, the players are elite and their reputations and futures are on line yet the adjudication is some kind of amateurish vaudeville show.
NSW fans have every right to be questioning what the score would have been if it had been a penalty to NSW rather than a try to Hodges. Likewise in game one with the Inglis knock on try.
July 5th 2012 @ 3:38pm
Dayer said | July 5th 2012 @ 3:38pm | Report comment
Ha ha ha ha you poor, poor SOOK
July 5th 2012 @ 4:49pm
Carlos said | July 5th 2012 @ 4:49pm | Report comment
Dayer does you mum know your using the computer?
July 5th 2012 @ 4:41pm
steve b said | July 5th 2012 @ 4:41pm | Report comment
Yeh i hope he stays he done a good job the boys are happy with him ,,and thats all that matters ,,he has started the foundations of good team,, instead of chopping and changing they should stand by him….
July 5th 2012 @ 2:13pm
Kuruki said | July 5th 2012 @ 2:13pm | Report comment
Ricky is a muppet. Get Carney into 7 and Maloney at 6.
July 5th 2012 @ 6:32pm
tonysalerno said | July 5th 2012 @ 6:32pm | Report comment
I don’t know if that’s the best option kuruki- that’s liking asking to bring in Wallace and Mullen.
July 5th 2012 @ 11:02pm
ScottWoodward.me said | July 5th 2012 @ 11:02pm | Report comment
Kuruki
You got Ricky right but Carney cannot organise and he would NEVER run a team and Maloney could not tackle a weetbix.
July 5th 2012 @ 2:48pm
GC Tiger said | July 5th 2012 @ 2:48pm | Report comment
When the dust settles his record will speak for itself. 2 wins in 6 games. Another failure. Poor Bellamy has been basically accused of draining NSW of any passion or skill because he lost to a great side and Ricky has lost to the same side if not a bit weaker. He is just a whinger who talks himself up and has accomplished nothing. NSW will again make major changes next year and won’t be favorites again.
July 5th 2012 @ 2:55pm
GC Tiger said | July 5th 2012 @ 2:55pm | Report comment
I think this article belongs in Rugby League not Union.
July 5th 2012 @ 3:42pm
Dayer said | July 5th 2012 @ 3:42pm | Report comment
Agree! by the why is NSW adoring him, he is not a NSW man he is from the ACT, isn’t HE?
Does NSW need ACT to play for them? Why didn’t ACT play for QLD?
July 5th 2012 @ 4:44pm
steve b said | July 5th 2012 @ 4:44pm | Report comment
dayer do you ever write anything exept mindless dribble,, you just go to show that anyone can own a computer ,,Kevin has done his job !!