NRL investigating coaches’ presser rants

The NRL has launched an investigation to determine whether Canberra coach Ricky Stuart will be fined for using profane language in his post-match press conference over the weekend.

The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield broke the news on Monday night’s episode of NRL 360.

After a journalist asked whether Stuart “fired up” at his side in the sheds during round eight, the frustrated coach denied that he was and whispered “f**k me” under his breath.

Rothfield confirmed the NRL is also investigating Trent Robinson, after the Roosters boss labelled match officials “incompetent” following his side’s loss to the Eels.

Robinson vented his frustration after match officials chose not to sin bin Eels playmaker Dylan Brown for his late hit on Roosters five-eighth Drew Hutchison.

“They looked at it ten times and couldn’t find anything … it’s ridiculous, it’s incompetent to not see that,” Robinson said.

Brown has since been handed a three-match ban.

“I spoke to the NRL earlier, they’re looking at Trent Robinson’s ‘incompetent’ comment, they’re also looking at Ricky Stuart who muttered the f-word during his press conference,” Rothfield said.

Rothfield and Fox Sports' James Hooper conceded it was unlikely either would be sanctioned for their comments.

“I don’t think they’ll get fined but they’re looking at them,” Rothfield said.

“If you take Ricky Stuart’s passion and madness out of press conferences, the game is poorer for it.”

Robinson lamented the match officials’ oversight after the Roosters’ loss. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)Source:Getty Images

Both Stuart’s Raiders and Robinson’s Roosters suffered losses over the weekend.

The Raiders coughed up a 16-0 halftime lead against the Knights, slumping to their fifth straight loss — their equal worst dry spell in Ricky Stuart’s tenure as head coach.

The Roosters’ ranks have been savaged by injury, with Luke Keary, Brett Morris, Lindsay Collins, Sam Verrills and Boyd Cordner among the regular first-graders currently admitted to the casualty ward

Consequently, the side struggled to match it with Parramatta on Friday, ending up on the wrong side of a 31-18, despite the best efforts of rookie half Sam Walker.

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