NRL

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has been accused of ‘totally unacceptable’ comments towards out-of-favour forward Corey Horsburgh.

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Speaking on SENQ radio former Broncos and Queensland legend Corey Parker took aim at the Raiders boss for isolating Horsburgh following the Raiders’ 30-24 Round 23 loss to the Knights.

“What I witnessed yesterday was totally unacceptable,” Parker declared, taking exception to Stuart’s post match comments calling out Horsburgh for being sin binned while seemingly ignoring his side’s 55 missed tackles and several incidents involving other Raiders that also cost the team dearly.

In a controversial ending, a Raiders penalty was overturned when Horsburgh was sin binned for slapping Dane Gagai in the face with six minutes to play. Dom Young scored the match-winning try shortly after to all but end the Raiders’ season.

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 ‘It was a f—ing brain explosion’ says Stuart

After the match Ricky Stuart made it clear he wasn’t impressed with his prop forward.

“It should have been (26-all) … we got a penalty and it was a f—ing brain explosion… that’s the opportunity,” Stuart said lamented.

“It wasn’t everybody’s fault, there were 16 other blokes out there that put up a massive effort … it was one s— bloody choice that cost us.”

Corey Parker wasn’t buying the reaction, suggesting a frustrated Stuart had gone way too far by throwing his forward under the bus to the media.

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“He (Stuart) thought they were going to get a chance to kick and make it 26-all, with their season on the line,” Parker said.

“But for him to gaslight Corey Horsburgh, as one of his very own, I think is totally unacceptable.”

Parker then suggested the well-documented history between Horsburgh and Stuart from 2024 clearly remains raw, despite an apparent public thawing.

“These two have had some history, so let me put you into context here,” he said.

“(The Raiders) had 55 missed tackles yesterday… so let’s not talk about 16 players all working hard.

“Xavier Savage made five (tackles), he missed five. Jed Stuart, his son, made four, he missed five. Simi Sasagi missed six. Ata Mariota missed seven tackles. Owen Pattie missed five, the list goes on.”

Parker continued to rattle off reasons for the Raiders’ loss that had little to do with Horsburgh.

“Yes, he got 10 in the bin… but to single out an individual like that when your team has 55 missed tackles, ill-discipline and other players, including your very own son… I think it’s totally unacceptable.”

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