Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has branded stand-in Panthers five-eighth Jaeman Salmon a “weak-gutted canine” after his kick on Tom Starling.
Regardless of their pledge to “ambush” the reigning premiers, the Raiders by no means obtained shut, with Salmon scoring one of many Panthers’ 4 tries within the 26-6 win.
Following his facet’s loss, which may see them miss the finals, Stuart was requested about quite a few incidents within the match, together with a bump which noticed Joseph Tapine injured, however took purpose at Salmon, who was positioned on report for the kick.
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“The James Fisher-Harris and Joe Tapine tackles are accidents and on this collision recreation I perceive that,” an incensed Stuart instructed reporters.
“However the place Salmon kicked Tommy (Starling), it ain’t on.
“I’ve had historical past with that child (Salmon). I do know that child very nicely.
“He was a weak-gutted canine as a child and he hasn’t modified now. He’s a weak-gutted canine particular person now.”
Following Stuart’s unbelievable outburst, 9’s NRL reporter Danny Weidler spoke to the Raiders coach on the telephone and requested whether or not he wished to apologise or retract his assertion, to which he replied “a agency no”.
League nice Phil Gould described Stuart’s broadside as “extraordinary” and stated “I’ve by no means heard a coach say something like that at a press convention”.
Gould stated Stuart’s son had performed in the identical rugby league facet as Salmon throughout the Panther’s junior days, however was uncertain what precisely prompted such a response from the veteran coach.
“When Ricky stated he is recognized this child for some time, he has,” Gould stated on 9’s NRL protection.
“Actually Ricky on reflection saying he isn’t apologising and he is standing by what he stated is moderately extraordinary as a result of I’ve by no means heard a coach say something like that at a press convention.
“I can not think about something that might make me say one thing like that at a press convention.
“Ricky’s going to must have superb cause and I do not know the way he substantiates that … I feel Jaeman Salmon would have motion towards him for remarks like that.
“I do know his crew’s been knocked out tonight and that is most likely the top of their finals cost … however he is too skilled a campaigner to react so emotionally in an setting like that the place he has been so many occasions all through his profession. It is not as if he is a rookie.”
Each Gould and NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler did not assume Salmon’s kick out at Starling alone was worthy of such an aggressive response.
“That may occur to anybody at any time,” Gould stated of the incident.
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“That is not an unusual incidence. His foot was caught between his legs as they’re getting up and he was attempting to get his foot out of there.”
“After I noticed the incident I used to be stunned that they stopped the sport and Jaeman Salmon was penalised. I simply noticed somebody kicking out,” Fittler added.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary refused to have interaction the verbal warfare with Stuart, however stated he was adamant the kick on Starling was unintentional from Salmon.
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“I can not think about Jaeman would have intentionally accomplished that, however I actually did not see it.
“I do not assume I would like to answer these (Stuart’s) feedback. I do know what Jaeman is like and he’s invaluable in our membership and we love him, so that’s all that issues to us.”
It stays to be seen whether or not the NRL takes motion towards Stuart for his outburst.
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