The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio has clarified Ricky Stuart’s post-match comments around Refereeing General Manager Jared Maxwell.
Following his side’s 29-18 loss to the Brisbane Broncos, the Canberra Raiders coach praised Maxwell for his performance in charge but said that “power had been taken off him”.
Riccio confirmed Stuart’s claim and said that the referees boss no longer had the power to select officials for matches.
“I think a few people are confused with what Ricky is inferring,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“Jared Maxwell has had his powers taken away from him.
“I was talking to a few people in Canberra and it was suggested to me that Ricky was inferring that Maxwell is no longer in charge of appointing the individual referees for every game.
“Ricky is suggesting that someone above Jared Maxwell is appointing the referees so what’s the point of Maxwell’s role?
“If that assertion is correct, that’s pretty concerning.”
SEN’s Andrew Voss said irrespective of the performance from the referees and the referees' boss, it should not excuse the Raiders poor outing on Saturday night.
“What the heck does that have to do with Canberra’s performance?,” Voss asked Riccio on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“If you want to play the deflection card, all I know is that they are life or death in terms of their premiership campaign.
“Does Jordan Rapana get singled out at a press conference for poor discipline?
“I agree that Ricky should never change but it doesn’t mean we can’t comment on it.
“You have conceded 599 points and you can’t blame the refs for all of that.
“You can say you don’t get the rub of the green and all the rest but 599 points you’ve conceded in a season and that’s way too many.”
The Raiders sit precariously in seventh position on the ladder with a -119 points differential and travel to Cronulla to face the Sharks in what is now a must-win clash.
The Raiders will also be forced to win without a number of their star players.
“Jam Fogarty has gone for scans on a potentially fractured eye socket,” Riccio added.
“If he’s out, it’s a major blow for their spine.
“Rapana has escaped with a fine for that alleged trip.
“The big one is Corey Horsburgh facing a three-match ban for a shoulder charge which is significant.
“The other one is Josh Papali’i who left the field with an arm injury which has caused concern in the Raiders camp so he’s in doubt.
“For such a huge and important game, they’ve got massive concerns.”