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Australian rugby league coach quits after outburst
AFP - Tuesday, December 9
SYDNEY (AFP) - - Ricky Stuart has quit as Australia's rugby league coach in the wake of his "offensive" behaviour towards World Cup officials following the Kangaroos' shock defeat in last month's final.
Stuart was widely condemned for his outbursts at match referee Ashley Klein and British referees' official Stuart Cummings after the Kangaroos' 34-20 loss to New Zealand in the Brisbane final on November 22.
Australian Rugby League chairman Colin Love said Stuart had informed him at a meeting here Monday that he would not be applying for the national job for the 2009 season.
Stuart's decision came with the announcement of a 20,000 dollar (13,000 US) fine imposed under World Cup disciplinary guidelines.
He had previously apologised to Klein and Cummings for what he deemed his "inappropriate and offensive" behaviour, which he said he deeply regretted. Love said Stuart would tender a statement to an ARL Board meeting on Tuesday.
"I have today advised the chairman of the ARL, Colin Love, that I will not be putting my name forward for consideration to coach the Australian Kangaroos in 2009," Stuart said in the statement made public Monday.
"This has been a most difficult decision to make in view of the great honour and enjoyment that comes from coaching our national team."
He said the decision was in the best interests of the game and for him personally and "in view of the circumstances it was the only decision."
Stuart said the penalty he received was fair and reasonable, adding: "There are some elements of the findings that I could debate but in the best interests of the game it is time to move on and leave them unchallenged.
"I have apologised to every person and body that I feel I needed to address and by making this decision I would hope that it will be interpreted as me not condoning my conduct in any way, shape or form."
He said he was "fully aware" of the importance of protecting the game's image at all levels.
Love said Stuart, who is also the Cronulla Sharks coach in the National Rugby League, had made an outstanding contribution to the profile and performance of the Kangaroos as a player and coach since 1986.
"In a clear error of judgement, Ricky acted inappropriately and he has conceded that from the outset," Love said.
Stuart's decision followed a report from barrister Robert Weber into the post-match incidents, which generated widespread media criticism and calls for Stuart to quit.
Love said that Weber's report confirmed that Stuart had abused both refereeing officials in the foyer of the hotel the morning after the game, that there had been some physical contact between Stuart and Cummings and that while the abuse was not loud, it was littered with profanities.
Former New Zealand national coach Graham Lowe said Stuart's decision was the right one.
"I am sure he would understand that his reaction to Australia's loss was an overreaction in every sense," Lowe said.
"It (resigning) wouldn't have been easy for Ricky to do, but it was the right thing to do."
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