- Stuart targets Hasler for refereeing comments
- Hasler was unhappy with asymmetrical penalty count
- Stuart could face a fine for his use of language
Ricky Stuart and Des Hasler were involved in an indirect dispute over refereeing in the Titan’s golden point loss to Canberra, with Stuart exclaiming: “F*** me, he’s on another planet.”
Raiders running back Jamal Fogarty avoided his team’s blushes, kicking a field goal in the 90th minute after they gave up two tries in the final four minutes of regulation to blow a 10-point lead.
But Hasler criticized referee Kasey Badger and said her performance was “pretty poor” after her team awarded five penalties to three and gave away eight set restarts to one for the Raiders.
He also questioned arguably the most decisive play of the game, suggesting Canberra’s teenage debutant Chevy Stewart was offside when he blocked titan Kieran Foran’s close-range field goal attempt.
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart (pictured) took aim at rival Des Hasler’s comments
Titans coach Des Hasler (pictured) was unhappy with the level of officiating.
Stuart responded and accused the Titans of “cheating” by fighting with his players for prolonged periods as they attempted to play the ball, suggesting they could have received “another 10 or 12” set resets.
“Fuck me, he’s on another planet,” Stuart said.
“If you criticize the six counterattacks and the penalties, you are on another planet.
“He trained well… but the way they cheated when they were standing there with their hand on the ball… the way they cheated on the ground.
‘I feel sorry for Kasey for the way they were in her face all night.
“She had to endure a lot of pressure.
“I’ll make sure to call (referee chief) Jared (Maxwell) to find out who’s right and who’s wrong, because I thought Kasey, under pressure, did a really good job.”
Hasler, who joked that he would be fined $25,000 for his rant, watched replays of Stewart’s charge before his news conference and said he was about three feet offside.
Stuart launched a tirade against his rival coach during the press conference, accusing him of being on another planet
Canberra recorded a 21-20 golden points victory over the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday.
‘They checked? They didn’t review it. Then why not?’ she asked.
“From that point of view, it was heartbreaking.
‘The refereeing performance was quite poor… 10 sixes against one, some of them are justified… some of them just leave us fighting for field position all the time.
“Possession ends 60-40, sure, some of that is our fault, but it’s tough.”
Stuart could face a fine for his language after previously receiving a financial penalty for swearing at a press conference.