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Ricky Stuart reckoned his Canberra side had embarrassed themselves in their emphatic 35-10 loss to Parramatta after he watched them fail to score a single second-half point.
The Raiders’ outspoken coach said it was an all-round disappointing performance by the Green Machine, especially in front of a “massive” home crowd of more than 20,000 fans on Saturday.
“We had every reason to make them proud of us – and we embarrassed ourselves,” Stuart said.
He also felt the team had failed Caleb Aekins, who was a clear stand-out on debut for Canberra.
Aekins made 88 metres during the first half and more than justified his selection for injured fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
“I feel sorry for Caleb Aekins – he didn’t deserve that,” Stuart said.
Aekins himself said he had mixed emotions about the game.
“I was privileged to pull on the green jersey and would’ve liked a win but that’s just how it goes sometimes,” Aekins said.
“We need to go back and review it and see what we did wrong.”
Highlights for the home team were few and far between with Canberra only scoring twice compared with six try scorers for the Eels, including two by in-form second rower Isaiah Papali’i.
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur applauded his team’s strong all-round effort, saying: “We came in with the right attitude.
“We came here prepared to roll the sleeves up and earn everything we got.
“I think everyone played their role, everyone was prepared to build the game and no-one tried to do anything on their own.”
Arthur also praised the dominance of playmaker Mitchell Moses who kicked five successful conversions plus a late field goal.
“He’s got one of the best kicking games in the competition.”
Of Papali’i, he said: “He’s going very well for us, he’s learning the back row role and has done a good job.
“I really enjoy coaching him, he’s so professional and everything he’s getting at the moment he’s deserved.”
© AAP
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