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Knights coach Rick Stone sacked, replaced by Danny Buderus

2016 featured none of the bloodshed of 2015 — but can this season deliver? (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Colin Whelan)
27th July, 2015
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In yet another big rugby league story this week, the Newcastle Knights have sacked coach Rick Stone with his short term successor to be former great Danny Buderus.

After a disgraceful performance against Souths on the weekend, the writing was pretty much on the wall for Stone, who is now facing his second dismissal from the club in five years.

Stone oversaw four consecutive wins at the start of the season, but has since struggled to get the Knights firing.

Although a victory over the Titans a week ago looked to have the Knights turning things around somewhat, a drubbing at the hands of the Rabbitohs this weekend will cost Stone his job, according to Rothfield.

The Knights have confirmed the sacking in a statement.

Full Knights Statement on Rick Stone:

The Newcastle Knights’ Board met on Monday and advised Rick Stone’s position as head coach was untenable.

Danny Buderus will step in as interim coach until season’s end while the club goes through a formal process to appoint the 2016 coach.

“We thank Rick for his efforts and loyalty over a long period of time and while these decisions are never easy, it was made in the best interests of the Club,” CEO Matt Gidley said.

“The Club will now undertake a formal review process of our entire football operations, of which the playing group are a key part, and all have the opportunity to demonstrate over the next seven weeks why they should retain their position.

“The Club strives to build a consistent, competitive and entertaining team and this formal review process will help us achieve this.”

Stone threw the blame on his players after the loss on the weekend, even going as far as apologising to the fans after the game.

“It’s probably a fair time to apologise to our fans, particularly for the first half. That’s not NRL standard,” Stone told Fairfax.

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“We’ve got six or so rounds to go and we’ve got to play players who are willing to fight,’’ Stone said.

“That’s the only thing I’m looking for – players who are going to stand up, have some pride in the jumper, and fight their butt off for 80 minutes.

“That’s what you need and, if you can’t give me that, I don’t want you to play.”

Blaming the players is always a dangerous move, for any coach. For Newcastle, Stone being sacked represents a very hard time for the club, after Wayne Bennett left at the end of last season.

Former Dragons coach Nathan Brown and Geoff Toovey have both been mentioned as possible replacements, but Newcastle first have to conduct a review.

It seems that any visions Stone had of leading the Knights for the rest of his two-year deal appear over.

What do you think Roarers? Is this the right call?

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