Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart is demanding clarity from NRL CEO Andrew Abdo following a significant loss to Manly Sea Eagles, where controversial officiating played a crucial role. The Raiders faced a disheartening 40-12 defeat at Brookvale Oval, marked by questionable decisions including a vital obstruction call that disallowed a try by Seb Kris. Despite Kris’s impressive effort after a pass from Jamal Fogarty, the try was overturned due to Corey Horsburgh’s alleged obstruction of Manly’s captain, Daly Cherry-Evans.
Stuart voiced his frustration regarding the officiating consistency in a post-match press conference, particularly after his side had endured an extended period of unproductive play before the disallowed try. Canberra’s hooker, Tom Starling, echoed the sentiment when he challenged referee Grant Atkins about the need for consistency in officiating. Stuart, meanwhile, expressed concern over the overall lack of clarity in the rules, stating his difficulty in coaching when he finds it hard to understand rule interpretations.
Statistically, Canberra struggled throughout the match, committing 10 penalties compared to Manly’s four, and suffering significantly with six ruck infringements versus one against Manly. Stuart highlighted that it was impossible for any team to defend such numbers, further pushing for answers regarding the game’s officiating processes. He emphasised the disparity in tackling stats, where Canberra made over 200 tackles in the first half alone, starkly contrasting with Manly’s 70, a situation he deemed unsustainable for success.
Adding to the drama, Horsburgh was later sin-binned for failing to retreat after a ‘six again’ call, resulting in further scoring opportunities for Manly. While Stuart refrained from directly questioning the legitimacy of the sin-binning, he acknowledged the monumental impact such decisions can have, especially given the statistical evidence against his team. He concluded his statements by asserting that the responsibility for these discrepancies lies with those overseeing the game.
Overall, Stuart demands greater accountability and transparency from the NRL leadership following a match that significantly shifted the narrative for his team’s season.