After a week of speculation and rumour, Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has confirmed that he will not be pursuing the vacant position of NSW Blues coach.
Stuart had three series across two stints in 2005 and 2011-12 in which he finished with a 4-5 record and the one series win in 2005. Following the resignation of Brad Fittler as coach, Stuart and Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy were tipped as the favourites to take over the Blues coach.
The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio believes Stuart was the perfect candidate but the 56-year-old was too committed to the Raiders.
“Ricky’s passion and understanding of the Blues jersey is second to none,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“His ability to get a team up emotionally (is phenomenal) and we’ve seen it with the Raiders season after season.
“We almost saw that against the Newcastle Knights. They had absolutely no chance in the eyes of many in the finals and they almost did it.
“Ricky has this ability to build belief in a footy team and that’s what the NSW team needs.
“He has deemed himself unavailable for selection as far as the Blues coach is concerned.
“That is down to the fact that he wants to put all of his eggs in the basket of the Raiders next year.”
Canberra defied the odds in 2023 by scraping into the finals and being competitive in the elimination final despite a points differential of -137.
It’s clear the Raiders are missing a spark on their list and Riccio revealed that Canberra are set for a massive overhaul of their roster.
“The Raiders are going to go pretty young next year,” Riccio added.
“Ricky wants to blood a stack of new talent and basically start the (rebuilding) process now.
“He wants to be there at a very crucial time for the footy club.
“That’s why he’s out of the NSW race.”
The hunt for Fittler’s replacement continues with former Blues coach Laurie Daley and inaugural Gold Coast Titans coach John Cartwright being flagged as potential candidates.