Frustrated Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart, contemplating a fourth loss in a row for his side at the hands of South Sydney, admits his side only had themselves to blame for their 34-20 defeat at GIO Stadium.
A lopsided 8-1 penalty count against the Raiders in Thursday’s encounter also drew the ire of Stuart, who said he intended to follow up with the referees’ office to highlight his concerns.
Stuart said that, while he was happy with a “big part” of Canberra’s performance, his struggling team gave away too many “cheap” points.
“We can’t keep giving away 12 to 18 points a game, that’s what we keep doing,” said Stuart, highlighting another poor second-half performance by the Green Machine.
“We’ve only got ourselves to blame, no one else.”
But as he reflected on the 8-1 penalty count, he added: “This has been happening a lot this year to us.
“I’ll look like a whinger but when you’ve got a game out there where it’s 8-1 in penalties, I just think that probably needs a discussion.”
Stuart said his concern about refereeing was not being “disrespectful” towards Souths, who were playing “good footy”.
In-form Canberra five-eighth Jack Wighton conceded it was another disappointing result, especially after four losses in the trot, which has not happened to the club since August 2018.
“We are hurting ourselves in a lot of ways. Four in a row – you [need] to keep on going. What are you going to do?” Wighton said.
“It hurts. Everyone’s feeling it [but] there’s no use kicking stones.”
He said the team needed to get back “on the horse and go again”.
The Raiders managed to maintain their cool early in the match after halfback George Williams was a late withdrawal due to a hamstring injury suffered during the warm up.
The injury forced Jordan Rapana to take on kicking duties and other changes to the line-up including Elliot Whitehead playing five-eighth.
Stuart said: “I thought they overcame that really well, the way they played.”
He added that it had been “anyone’s game” at halftime and he applauded the team’s second-half effort despite falling short at the end.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
I'm a Red V member living in Canberra and I don't mind the Raiders apart from always beating the Dragons. They were ripped off by one referee ruling six to go because they decided to run it rather than kicking the winning field goal. They thought it was their ball so they were not organising their defence. Easts were lucky but the reason they won was the two referees no matter what excuse the NRL gave. I would've complained about that. The NRL were made to look like xxxxs when they said the referees got it right. They scrapped the two referees after that xxxx. We've got a grassy knoll in our back yard.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
I'm a Red V member living in Canberra and I don't mind the Raiders apart from always beating the Dragons. They were ripped off by one referee ruling six to go because they decided to run it rather than kicking the winning field goal. They thought it was their ball so they were not organising their defence. Easts were lucky but the reason they won was the two referees no matter what excuse the NRL gave. I would've complained about that. The NRL were made to look like fools when they said the referees got it right. They scrapped the two referees after that debacle. We've got a grassy knoll in our back yard.
Texasman
Roar Rookie
You're telling me WHAT happened which I don't dispute. I'm talking about WHY. Ricky has installed this complaining culture in the players, meanwhile Tedesco has scored at the other end. If the Raiders had just got on with the game in front of them they might have had themselves a premiership
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
The Canberra players weren't complaining about on field decisions. They were mislead by the the second referee over ruling the first referee who had signalled six again. They didn't even have a signal to show everyone they were changing their decision. It was no surprise to see they dropped the two referees after that. They were in position for the winning field goal when the referee signalled six to go.
criag
Roar Rookie
This is just one of the reasons why the 6 again rule is a complete disaster, as far as I'm concerned. If there truly is an infringement, just give a penalty! It would be a rare occasion where a team wouldn't prefer one anyway. It's too wishy-washy, and too many games decided by these very hazy decisions given out like lollies at times. There's also too many refs getting fooled by players diving when barely touched.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Ricky put Corey Horsburgh in his 17. Can't blame the refs for that
Bernie Vinson
Guest
I didnt watch all of it but Raiders were behind by more than a converted try and got 3 six agains (deep in tackle counts) to piggyback downfield to get a try. Did he factor that in? 7-0 in the six agains according to Mushi - same deal
The Barry
Roar Guru
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_taveZC0Iqk
The Barry
Roar Guru
He’s no Cameron Murray that’s for sure...
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don’t disagree about the obstruction rule but us fans only have ourselves to blame It’s not that long ago that refs were allowed to use their discretion on whether the tackler was actually obstructed, but do you remember the fury after virtually every game where fans (and commentators) would be blowing up deluxe about why was this one allowed tonight when two weeks ago that one got penalised It was a no win situation for the refs and they were forced to come up with this black and white interpretation. I actually think it’s an area where they’ve done pretty well to take the grey out. The trade off is we get decisions like this Big Emre stopped in the line. That gave Marshall all the opportunity he needed. I think Marshall actually stepped into Guler away from Wighton to ensure he was “obstructed”. There was a rear angle shaft they showed after the try was disallowed that showed it clearly It seems silly but we all (including Emre and Benji) know the rule and it’s 100% our fault that it’s officiated that way So I absolutely feel your pain but it was ultimately the correct call in line with current interpretation
Adam
Roar Guru
And what Tapine is thinking with that hair cut...
Adam
Roar Guru
Oooh short arm (free kick) long arms (penalties) incoming
steveng
Roar Rookie
Also add the zillion "6 again" to the Raiders which Cummings gave them at least 1 certain try, where is Stickies whinge there? And then with 8min to go the sin bin, the Raiders if they were good enough got plenty of opportunities to win this game especially when they were allowed some pretty ordinary tries and as Bennet said "not much" what he liked about the performance and that the Bunnies went "back to the old habits". Yes, the Raiders had allot of players out but so did we and it reflected on both sides performances, especially the Raiders and why they both have to improve against the likes of the Panthers and of course the Storm that IMO are the ones we have to beat for the title as we play them next R9 and R11. Also and being critical here, this performance me thinks, we will be very hard up to win against a Storm side that was virtually given a win in R1 in the 1st half, hope I'm wrong and the boys turn up, as we know what they can do! Go You Bunnies :thumbup:
Texasman
Roar Rookie
Ricky's 'we were hard done by' antics rub off onto the raiders players and fans. The Roosters even stole a premiership from them while the players were complaining about on field decisions.
Walter Black
Guest
" would it have given Ricky anything to hide behind" He wasn't trying to hide behind Benji was he souv :happy:
Walter black
Guest
Gee Ricky, its never your team's fault is it ? You have been pulling this stunt for years now, blowing up at the refs after every game. Funnily enough its only ever after games that your team loses. Absolute definition of a sore loser.
Dutski
Roar Guru
I think Ricky would be better off questioning where Hudson Young’s tackling disappeared to and what Curtis Scott is thinking in the defensive line.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Well at least Cummins got that one right - I was shocked he sent him - and so was the Souths player given how much the Rabbitohs had been allowed to get away with in slowing down the play the ball up until that point - you could see the eyes of the Souths player darting around wondering whether he would get away with it
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Agree Albo - Hudson Young's form has dropped off a cliff - particularly his defence - what is going on?
Albo
Roar Rookie
A couple of questions I have for Ricky : 1. Why was Ryan James who was the Raiders best forward early, only given one stint of 23 minutes ??? Was he injured ? 2. What has happened to Hudson Young's defence ? 4 tries let in against the Eels a fortnight ago and another 2 last night ? I was thinking SOO for him this year , until the last month !