If trying to end Queensland’s seven-year stranglehold on State of Origin wasn’t hard enough, Ricky Stuart admits he faces another massive task trying to make Parramatta a force in the NRL again.
Stuart failed in his quest to guide the Blues to a series for the first time since 2005 in his two-year stint as coach, but did much to close the gap between the sides and restore some pride to the jumper.
However, he knows he has his work cut out reviving the Eels and warned the club’s long-suffering fans not to expect miracles in the wake of Saturday’s 41-4 trial defeat to Wests Tigers at Campbelltown.
“If anyone thinks we’re going to rebuild this in two or three months doesn’t know the extent of the job,” Stuart said on Sunday.
“This is a huge job. The club’s been in the doldrums for a couple of years. It’s going to take time to pull ourselves out of that and start showing some consistency.”
The Eels claimed the wooden spoon for the first time since 1974 last season and have not made the top-eight since reaching the 2009 grand final.
The retirement of stalwarts Nathan Hindmarsh and Luke Burt in addition to missing out on several recruitment targets such as Israel Folau, Matt Scott, James Tamou and Greg Bird has not helped Stuart’s cause.
However, he’s hopeful he can help mould a relatively young side into a competitive outfit.
“The team’s been bashed around for the last 18 months,” he said.
“Whether that’s been publicly or within, it’s been a very tough 18 months for them.
“You’re not going to find me critical of the team in regards to denting their confidence because it’s one area we’ve got to work hard on.
We have to work hard to find confidence and be happy in what we’re doing.
“Obviously we all want to win and we want to be successful but it’s going to take time.
“I’ve told them I’ll be patient with them. If I’ve ever had a job where I have to rebuild, this is it.”
Test prop Scott re-signed with North Queensland last week and Stuart revealed he almost persuaded him to join the Eels rebuilding program.
“We were very close. But he showed a lot of strength and loyalty to stay with his club as James Tamou did,” he said.
“I don’t really see it as losing a player when they stay with their club.
“We’ll just keep pushing forward with our recruitment and improve our players here.”
Parramatta back-rower Taniela Lasalo has been ruled out for up to 14 weeks.
The 23-year-old broke his arm playing for Eels’ NSW Cup side Wentworthville on Saturday night against the Tigers.
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Roar Rookie
I am a Sharks fan and was very glad to see the back of Stuart. Best thing the club did in years and look at the players who have come to club AFTER he left. Reading his comments now about the Eels and their "issues" there is a real feeling of deja vu. If you went back and looked at some articles from his time with the Sharks and others you would find the same old crap and excuses. The Great Pretender and I bet it will not be too long before he brings up lack of "depth" and the need for a big clean out and a new 3 year plan. Do yourselves a favour Eels,tell him to shut up and just get on with it.
dishes
Guest
Hit the nail on the head. At least when he was coaching origin we only heard him whine for a few weeks of the year. It's going to be a long year.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Good comments DT. I'm not sure what the Eels need cos I don't have first hand inside info but from afar it certainly appears that there is a club culture that needs a complete re-boot, because whatever is there now seems to sap the energy of good players. I wish Ricky Stuart all the best with that.
Matt_S
Guest
Stuart already rolling out the excuses. Not a good sign for the Eels.
dubbo teacher
Guest
As a player Stuart was super competitive and had a football brain as well as the best long kicking game of his era. He also got the best out of his forwards. Those qualities SHOULD translate across to coaching. When he had success at the roosters he had their forwards the fittest and hardest in the comp and played a teritorial game. He did poorly elsewhere without his style of player and has that problem at Parra having to inherit Kearney's folly of overpaid passengers like Sandow. He will have to get rid of him this year and get a half decent halfback for a start. Robson would far more suit Stuart's style but we let him go... (look at him now). I really don't know if he can do anything this year. It's like a disease at Parra atm. The topflight prop a few seasons ago was Justin Poore - how did he go? Same would have happened to Shillington, Tamou or Scott - a career killer. His prickly manner may drive people out and for lots of Eels players that would be a good thing - they are not measuring up. Ricky is like Warren Ryan - he needs hard uncompromising forwards and tough backs like Chris Mortimer and Terry Lamb. Do they exist at Parra? Don't think so.
Matt Moule
Guest
Matt Moule
Guest
Every one makes out like he is a supper coach but he is not. Look at his stats and records and teams he has coached, yeah he won a flag with the roosters in 2002 in his first year but really he walked into a great team with not much to do. He has the longest losing streak record at the sharks. A lot of the sharks fans say he put them back 5 years and its taken them this long to recover. He started a job with NSW and again didn't win. Please someone tell me why he is going to be Save parra? Cause I really can't see what he has ever done to be a supper coach. None of the players like him. He got pushed out of the roosters and sharks
Matt Moule
Guest
Every one makes out like he is a supper coach but he is not. Look at his stats and records and teams he has coached, yeah he won a flag with the roosters in 2002 in his first year but really he walked into a great team with not much to do. He has the longest losing streak record at the sharks. A lot of the sharks fans say he put them back 5 years and its taken them this long to recover. He started a job with NSW and again didn't win. Please someone tell me why he is going to be Save parra? Cause I really can't see what he has ever done to be a supper coach. None of the players like him. He got pushed out of the roosters and sharks