Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has admitted he was left “embarrassed” after another dismal second-half showing from his players, as he apologised to the club’s loyal fanbase.
Despite being up 20-12 at half-time, the Raiders coughed up yet another lead, with a late Shaun Johnson field goal gave the Warriors a win that they could scarcely believe themselves.
The loss was Canberra’s fifth in a row, with Stuart’s men outscored 107-38 in second halves so far this season.
READ MORE: Johnson field goal seals Warriors heist
READ MORE: Warriors big man in strife over high elbow
READ MORE: $1M man’s NRL career tragically cut short
Following the crushing loss, a clearly emotional Stuart was left lost for words as he fought back tears while chatting to reporters on hand.
“Publicly I am lost for comment in regard of the quality of that performance in the second half and for any loyal fan and any real fan we have got left it, I feel really embarrassed and sorry for them,” he said.
“That whole second half was undisciplined, lacked any quality or execution, it was just very disappointing.
“I am glad they were as bad as us.”
Stuart’s assessment of the game was mirrored by Raiders captain Jack Wighton, who admitted the team’s second-half struggles had become all too common.
Stream the NRL premiership 2022 live and free on 9Now
We shot ourselves in the foot massively again,” he said.
“It’s become too common. We’ve got to find a way to become winners again. At the moment we keep letting it slip. I’m a little bit lost for words and it’s something we have to look at tomorrow and we have to move on fast.
“It’s no secret we have to stick together and go again. It’ll be too hard if we start looking at each other now, so that’s something we’re looking forward to doing this week.”