A bristling Ricky Stuart was a man of few words after the Canberra Raiders were spanked by the Sydney Roosters, 26-0.
The minor premiers (5-8) looked a shadow of themselves as they were held scoreless for the first time in two years, dealing another blow to their finals hopes as they sit two wins adrift of the top eight.
Stuart has been critical of his team’s ill-discipline across their campaign, and the Raiders’ crucial first-half errors would have only compounded his discontent.
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Facing reporters after the game, conducted a short and sharp press conference, that was over in fewer than two minutes.
Stuart wouldn’t be drawn on the Raiders’ 13th-place position but stated bluntly that the Tri-colours had “too much class for us”.
When asked how he and his team would turn things around, he quickly shut down reporter.
“It’s one game, mate” he said.
The reporter continued, but Stuart was having none of it: “Just gotta worry about next week.”
Stuart was equally short when asked about injuries.
“I don’t know, haven’t spoken to him yet,” he when addressing a question about Ethan Sanders.
And it was the same response when he was asked about Savelio Tamale’s head knock and possible concussion.
“I don’t know, mate, I don’t know … only just got in there,” he said.
In the match, Sydney Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase and hooker Reece Robson made triumphant returns from their hospital visits to put on a show.
After a glittering start to their NRL season, the Roosters’ star-studded side were held to a mere 16 points in the past two rounds, raising questions over their premiership credentials.
But Trent Robinson’s men (8-4) showed that they shouldn’t be ruled out as they transformed from their error-riddled performance against Melbourne at a nippy GIO Stadium on Friday.
Nawaqanitawase’s three tries, 164 run metres, and eight tackle busts proved crucial, providing a timely reminder for NSW coach Laurie Daley of why he deserves a spot on the team for State of Origin game two on June 17 after his series opener hopes were dashed by an ankle injury that required surgery in May.
It wasn’t just Nawaqanitawase who dazzled as halves combination Sam Walker, with three try assists, and Daly Cherry-Evans were typically inspirational to help the Roosters ease to victory.
“I thought it was the best combination those two have had this year, and they complemented the kicking game with the defensive effort,” Robinson said.
But the Roosters coach had the highest praise for Robson, who scored a try and was his usual busy defensive self, despite the distractions of the birth of his son on Wednesday.
“I actually spoke to him yesterday, because he hadn’t slept at all on Wednesday night, and then came in to train, and I was sort of ready to say ‘don’t play’,” Robinson said.
“He really wanted to get out there, and so he stayed the night last night in hospital and came down this morning.”
Nawaqanitawase drew first blood when the Roosters shifted right and found the diving winger before Billy Smith broke down the left edge and handed it off to a running Hugo Savala.
Nawaqanitawase crossed for his second when Robert Toia desperately slapped back a kick into play, and the winger flopped onto the ball.
Three minutes later, Robson burrowed over to help the visitors lead 22-0 at the break.
Nawaqanitawase wrestled over in the 48th minute, before the Roosters’ faithful erupted in their own rendition of Canberra’s Viking clap to celebrate the win.
– With AAP
