Stuart quits as Australia coach
Ricky Stuart quits as head coach of Australian rugby league team
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Monday, 08, Dec 2008 09:12
Ricky Stuart has quit as coach of the Australian rugby league team after coming under fire for abusing the World Cup final match referee in a hotel foyer.
Stuart was fined A$20,000 (£8,900) after he confronted English referee Ashley Klein and match officials director Stuart Cummings on November 23rd - the day after the final.
And following a meeting with ARL chairman and World Cup tournament director Colin Love, in which Stuart's behaviour and the performance of the team in losing the final against underdogs New Zealand in Sydney were discussed, the coach announced his decision not to serve with the team in 2009.
"I have today advised the chairman of the ARL, Colin Love, that I will not be putting my name forward for consideration to coach the Australian Kangaroos in 2009," he said in a statement.
"This has been a most difficult decision to make in view of the great honour and enjoyment that comes from coaching our national team.
"I believe that making this decision is in the best interests of the game and for me personally. In view of the circumstances, it was the only decision."
Stuart said he thought the fine imposed upon him, which was donated to the World Cup's official charity the National Breast Cancer Foundation, was "fair and reasonable" and said he would not be formally contesting it.
"There are some elements of the findings that I could debate but in the best interests of the game it is time to move on and leave them unchallenged," he continued.
"I have apologised to every person and body that I feel I needed to address and by making this decision I would hope that it will be interpreted as me not condoning my conduct in any way, shape or form."
Love thanked Stuart for his work with the national side over the past 20 years and said he hopes people will now let the controversies of the matter rest.
"Anyone who has seen the pride Ricky places in representing Australia will know that he is paying a heavy price," Love explained.
"People need to accept that he is paying it and allow him to move on with a clean slate.
"They also should acknowledge the contribution he has made to the profile of the international game, the spirit of the Australian team and to the success of the 2008 World Cup over the last two years."