Canberra coach’s post-match comments draw criticism
Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has faced criticism for his post-match comments regarding player Corey Horsburgh following the team’s 30-24 loss to the Newcastle Knights. The incident in question involved Horsburgh’s sin-binning late in the game, which Stuart publicly described as a “brain explosion.” This public rebuke has been labelled “totally unacceptable” by former NRL player Corey Parker, who suggested Stuart was “gaslighting” his own player.
The contentious moment occurred with less than 10 minutes remaining in the match, which ultimately ended Canberra‘s season. Horsburgh made a tackle on Knights centre Dane Gagai. Following the tackle, Gagai reacted with frustration, leading to a minor scuffle where Horsburgh was seen slapping Gagai. Initially, a penalty was awarded in Canberra‘s favour, but after intervention from Kalyn Ponga and a review, the decision was reversed, and Horsburgh was sin-binned.
Parker highlighted that if the initial penalty decision had stood, Canberra could have kicked a penalty goal to level the scores at 26-all, potentially leading to golden point. Instead, the Knights scored a late try through Dominic Young while the Raiders were playing with a man down, securing their victory in the 78th minute. This sequence of events led to Stuart’s strong post-match remarks about Horsburgh’s actions.
Player’s actions and team discipline
Stuart’s frustration was evident in his post-match comments, where he stated that Horsburgh’s actions cost the team an opportunity. He drew a comparison to a similar incident involving Alex Twal, emphasizing that such actions are against the rules. Stuart also linked the incident to broader issues of self-entitlement and indiscipline that he felt had affected the team’s season, preventing them from reaching the semi-finals.
However, Parker argued that singling out Horsburgh was inappropriate, especially given the team’s overall performance. He pointed to the Raiders‘ total of 55 missed tackles in the game, noting that other players, including Stuart’s son, Jed Stuart, and Xavier Savage, Simi Sasagi, Ata Mariota, and Owen Pattie, also had significant numbers of missed tackles. Parker also recalled an earlier high shot by captain Joey Tapine that resulted in a penalty, suggesting that Horsburgh was unfairly isolated.
The tension between Gagai and Horsburgh had reportedly been building throughout the second half. Gagai himself was fortunate to avoid a sin-bin earlier in the match for a dangerous tackle. Horsburgh’s actions, described as an “act of petulance,” resulted in an NRL fine of $1800. Reports suggest Horsburgh has been given permission to explore options with rival clubs during the off-season, which could be impacted by such incidents.
Looking ahead for the Raiders
Despite the season-ending loss and the controversy surrounding Horsburgh, Stuart indicated plans to look towards the future. He mentioned that Simi Sasagi, who scored two tries against the Knights, would be rested for the upcoming match against the Sharks but would return for Josh Papali’i‘s final game. Stuart acknowledged that Sasagi should not have played against the Knights but wanted to honour Papali’i’s final matches.
Stuart also revealed intentions to give younger players an opportunity in the remaining games to assess them for the upcoming 2027 season. He stated that he would consider the reserve grade’s position on the table to avoid jeopardising their finals opportunities. This approach suggests a focus on developing the next generation of talent for the Raiders as they conclude their 2026 season.
The Raiders‘ loss to the Knights, with the final score of 30-24, marked the end of their campaign for the 2026 season.
Source: nine.com.au
