It’s well known in NRL circles that Ricky Stuart rarely pulls his punches when it comes to defending his own players.
But the veteran Canberra Raiders coach has taken pause following his side’s 44-18 home win over the Newcastle Knights to launch a strident defence of an under-siege NRL rival.
When asked about the challenges of defeating lower placed teams on the NRL ladder, Stuart stressed the importance of treating every opponent with respect.
“There’s a lot of noise out there, ‘because of where you are (on the ladder) and where they are, you’ll beat them’, but we don’t see it like that,” Stuart said.
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“That’s probably why we’re winning games,” Stuart continued.
“Look at the Titans yesterday (who upset the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland), they have the players, and if they had that attitude a bit more they’d win more games for Des, instead of Des being the scapegoat.
“Players have to take responsibility, and that’s what my players are doing.
“Players at other clubs where the poor old coach is copping it, maybe they have to look at themselves as well.”
Ricky Stuart, 58, and Des Hasler, 64, are former NSW State of Origin teammates and also toured Great Britain together on the 1990 Kangaroo Tour.