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.”
Matt
Guest
After the game the Cameron Smith bought Paul Gallen a celebration drink. Smith ordered the drink and gave it to Gallen. He took a sip and said whats this mate lemonade or something? Smith said nah buddy its 7up!
Bearfax
Guest
JVGO. I understand where you are coming from but I would be loath to use Flanagan or Hasler as SOO coach because they are already heaviy committed to their respective teams. Takes a lot of work preparing SOO teams and that means time away from their comp teams. Its been done before but you can usually see the effect on the team, when their coach is away....and it aint positive. I think the days of SOO coaches having a full time team in the comp as well, has gone the same way as the old captain/coach scenario. Just too much responsibility.
JVGO
Guest
Stuart has done well building a team developing some genuine spirit rather than just gathering the usual random NSW selection. Recruitment is after all 80% of coaching. But I don;t like the way he coaches. I am a Sharks fan and he has NSW playing the same one out style he used to get Cronulla to play. There is not enough creativity around the ruck or enterprise coming out of their own half. Flanagan is a better coach at Cronulla than Ricky ever was. hasler has shown he is the best coach in the league. He would win origin with this side i've no doubt.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Kuruki You got Ricky right but Carney cannot organise and he would NEVER run a team and Maloney could not tackle a weetbix.
Bearfax
Guest
Stuart did a reasonable job of upping the ante. For mine NSW deserved to win the series and in the end lost by one point (with questionable ref decisions again but I wont seek excuses). Point is, it was a series worthy of both teams winning. Sorry Queenslanders if you think it was a great victory. Rubbish. They just got across the line. Had NSW kicked their field goal attempt we would all to lauding the the great NSW reviival..it was that close. I can see NSW winning next year if they retain the squad they have. But congrats to QLD. They did in the end manage to eek out a victory, if by the skin of their teeth.
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
I don't know if that's the best option kuruki- that's liking asking to bring in Wallace and Mullen.
Carlos
Guest
Dayer does you mum know your using the computer?
steve b
Roar Guru
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 !!
steve b
Roar Guru
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....
Dayer
Guest
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?
Dayer
Guest
Ha ha ha ha you poor, poor SOOK
GC Tiger
Guest
I think this article belongs in Rugby League not Union.
GC Tiger
Guest
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.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Ricky is a muppet. Get Carney into 7 and Maloney at 6.
Carlos
Guest
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.
john rhind
Guest
ricky has brought back the hate back, that has been alway there for queensland
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
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)
Riccardo
Guest
x2
Gav
Guest
So are the QLD players. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
db swannie
Guest
As a QLDR he can stay for as long as he wants. His puzzling selections of Pearce & Creagh are delightful.